Resources for Educators

Photo of cover of NPA Educators Guide
Educators Guide to the NPA in Data Science
Screenshot of the NPA resources Trello board
Trello board of resources for NPA Educators

Blog posts for educators

Resources for Learners

Photo of cover of NPA Learners Guide
Learners Guide to the NPA in Data Science
Screenshot of Learner resources Trello board
Trello board of resources for NPA Learners

Blog posts for learners

NPA Course Materials

This page provides an initial set of resources including lessons, worksheets, and answers across levels 4, 5 and 6. 

We have also curated a list of freely available, high quality datasets that can be used in the classroom. 

Assessment Guidance

Read our blog post on Assessment in the NPA Data Science.

Level 4 Assessment Exemplar

Level 6 Assessment Exemplar

SOLAR Assessment Exemplar

About the Qualification

The National Progression Award (NPA) in Data Science is one of the first data science school level qualifications in the world.

The Data Science qualification is available at levels 4, 5 and 6 (equivalent to the traditional National 4, National 5 and Higher level qualifications).

The diagram below offers an indication of the structure of each level of the NPA. There are two core units at all levels: Data Citizenship and Data Science.

A graph showing the core and optional units in the NPA at each level. NPA level 4 has Data Citizenship level 4 and Data Science level 4 core units. NPA level 5 has Data Citizenship level 5 and Data Science level 5 core units and optional units of Data Security level 5, Computer Programming level 5, Machine Learning level 5, Data Science Project level 5 and Data Science Statistics level 5. NPA level 6 has Data Citizenship level 6 and Data Science level 6 core units and optional units of Data Security level 6, Computer Programming level 6, Machine Learning level 6, Data Science Project level 6, Data Science Statistics level 6 and Statistics level 6.

What’s in the course?

During the course, learners will gather data and analyse datasets. They will visualise the results and present their findings, reporting on what they have found and how it can make a difference to themselves or others.

Participants will develop an understanding of how data is used in society.  Learners will interpret data in different formats to find out interesting things from it, investigate the reason for unusual results or trends, and think about the impact or behaviour change that will result from the analysis. Learners investigate how data can have both a positive and negative effect on society, such as when biased data is used in decision making or when data is misrepresented to influence people.

 

Introductory video about the NPA Data Science (11 min)

 

Webinar to Educators about the NPA qualification and the new Guides (58 min)

More Information

The Data Education in Schools Team are developing a range of classroom resources to support teaching. They have supported all the schools offering the qualification so far, with information, advice, networking and early access to resources.  Please contact dataschools@ed.ac.uk if you would like more information.

We are building a collaborative community of educators delivering the NPA and to share ideas and experiences between each other. This community is already in place so if you would like to join please get in touch with dataschools@ed.ac.uk