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EDSA launches SA’s first online data science course for high school learners

Whenever industry experts and analysts talk about jobs of the future and preparing our learners to able to meet those requirements, data science and opportunities for employment around this field is often touted.

At the moment, however, resources for learners and those in high school in particular are at a minimum.

That changes somewhat today as the Explore Data Science Academy (EDSA) recently announced the launch of an online course aimed at high school learners in grades 10 to 12.

“As an Academy we’re concerned that vital future skills are not being taught at our high schools. We’ve also priced the course to make it affordable to as broad a spectrum of scholars as possible,” says Shaun Dippnall, co-founder of EDSA.

“To succeed in 2025 youngsters will need to be creative problem solvers who write code and are able to solve complex software algorithms,” he adds.

“Data Science for High School is intended to do just that. From February 11, motivated scholars can begin accessing the course material, which will involve between five and seven hours of self-study a week,” Dippnall notes.

Applications for the course are currently open, with the it lasting 10 months at a cost of R245 per month, with things kicking off on 11 February this year.

This course is viewed as an elementary one by EDSA and will involve teaching learners the basics of Python programming, as well as working with data and diving into linear regression.

In addition to the course the EDSA will host two competitions later this year, which will see scholars taking on one another by trying to complete complex business cases with data science techniques.

“These will be competitions where we give scholars a problem, as well supportive data, and a time period to solve it. Whoever builds the best algorithm wins,” explains Aidan Helmbold, another EDA co-founder.

There will also be added incentive in the form of cash prizes, with first prize receiving R10 000, second getting R5 000 and third given R2 500.

Find out more about the Explore Data Science Academy’s Data Science course for high school here.

[Image – CC 0 Pixabay]

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