For many, it was their first time realizing that numbers and charts aren’t just for school—they’re tools they can use to make decisions, tell and share stories, and even influence change. Along with mentors from The DataJam and HBA’s WIH Give Back, students were able to analyze a dataset, draw conclusions to tell a story, and present findings to the group. HBA’s WIH Give Back volunteers also bought the group breakfast and lunch, then took a smaller group of these students to the NY Hall of Science museum, also in Queens, NY. It was a fabulous day for everyone who participated!

What Students Took Away

The biggest lesson wasn’t just about math or science—it was about believing in themselves and their ability to use data in their lives. Students learned that:

• Data is powerful: It can help them understand problems and find solutions.

• Their voices matter: Sharing what they discover can shape how adults and organizations make decisions.

• They are part of something bigger: By working with mentors and partner organizations, they see that teamwork makes change (and science!) possible.

Why Partnerships Matter

Partnerships are like puzzle pieces—they each bring something unique, but when you put them together, the picture is stronger and more complete.

• The DataJam teaches students how to work with data in fun and meaningful ways. The DataJam also works to grow and engage a community of students, mentors, and data science enthusiasts interested in helping each other to evolve the skills needed for using data in life and in their careers. Special thanks to Zac Lindquist, with a Fellowship from the Community Engagement program of the Frederick Honors College, who ran the program, and Alex Bauer, for facilitating laptop connectivity.

• The Floating Hospital provides health and wellness care for families, and gives kids a safe place to grow and thrive. The relationships TFH nurtures with local families in New York City builds trust and community, leading to improved health. Special thanks to Meaghan Miller, PhD, for coordinating this program with her other community initiatives – and thanks to Sophia Binder, MPH, for facilitating student engagement before and during the program.

• HBA’s WIH GB program works with partners to help lift up women, men and their families in their health gaps, and helping to make healthcare more accessible to everyone. They are leveraging their business and networking expertise to help partners achieve more than they would alone. WIH GB was pivotal to bringing all of these partners together. For this program to work, we needed laptops for the students to access data – and that took more help. Speical thanks to Rucha Pandit, MBA (also of ListenFirst); Vrinda Deval, MBA; Beth Bauer, MS (also of The DataJam and Communities Connected); Dawn Fallon; Ritu Khandelwal, MBA; and Leslie Darling for coordinating all the moving parts and providing in-person assistance during the program.

  • ListenFirst is a reporting, research, and consulting team built for marketers who need fast, expert answers, without managing more tools. ListenFirst donated used laptops to The DataJam for conducting these short student programs. Special thanks to Rucha Pandit for securing the donated laptops.

  • AIROS is a technology company whose mission is to care for those who provide care by ensuring they have all of the necessary assets, resources, and technology tools to support care providers. Airos helped The DataJam to test and wipe the laptops, preparing them for use.

  • Communities Connected works at the intersection of data, technology and people to advance and scale community health and well-being.  Communities Connected facilitated communication between The DataJam and HBA’s WIH GB, and secured IDs and authentication, we well as enabled the laptops for team usage. Special thanks to Albert Bauer and Beth Bauer for making laptop usage a seamless experience for these students.

When these types of purpose driven groups join forces, they don’t just teach skills—they create opportunities for students to see themselves as leaders and changemakers.

A Ripple of Change

For educators, The DataJam one day program can show how partnerships can open doors that schools can’t always open alone. For students, it’s proof that the lessons they learned through Camp Rise-Up—resilience, leadership, and hope—can keep growing in new directions. For everyone, this is an opportunity for The DataJam to show how data connects people with stories and facts that may not surface until curiosity and persistence are matched with arts and sciences.

This is more than just a one-off event; it’s the start of a ripple effect. As students have said, “Data could tell a story about my interests. Now I feel like I can use data to make a difference.” 

Together, these partnerships are not only teaching skills—they’re planting seeds of confidence, leadership, and possibility that will keep growing for years to come.