The Department of Statistics at Iowa State University recently hosted the electronic Conference on Teaching Statistics (eCOTS) Regional Conference in Iowa on June 14th, 2024. The event took place at the Student Innovation Center and brought together educators and professionals to discuss key issues in the field of statistics education.
The conference, organized by Laura Ziegler, Teaching Professor at Iowa State University, featured a dynamic program designed to prepare students for the evolving demands of the data-driven world. The day began with a welcome session, followed by a keynote address from Paul Roback, Professor of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science at St. Olaf College, who highlighted the importance of broadening students' perspectives beyond introductory statistics. His talk, Beyond AP® / Intro Statistics: Playing in Everyone Else's Backyard, showcased real-world applications of statistics in various fields, inspiring educators to encourage their students to think beyond the basics.
Participants engaged in several breakout sessions covering topics such as resources for statistics and data science educators, updates to introductory statistics courses, and strategies for fostering critical thinking in students. The sessions, led by experts Adam Loy (Associate Professor of Statistics, Mathematics and Statistics at Carleton), Dan Petrak (Professor of Mathematics at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny), Heather Podlich (Professor of Mathematics at DMACC Boone ), Andrew Sage (Assistant Professor of Statistics at Lawrence University), and Shonda Kuiper (Professor of Statistics at Grinnell College), provided insights and practical tools for enhancing statistics education.
The event concluded with reflections and discussions, allowing attendees to share their experiences and ideas for future collaborations. The conference emphasized the importance of innovative teaching methods and underscored the vital role of community in advancing statistics education.
