13. Data Detectives

Introduction

Unlock the Power of Data

In today’s world, data is everywhere, hiding in spreadsheets, tucked into surveys, embedded in apps, and scattered across the internet. But raw data alone can’t solve problems. It takes a skilled investigator — a Data Detective — to turn data into knowledge.

Welcome to Data Detectives, where you’ll train to become a detective of the digital age. Whether you're working solo or cracking cases as part of a team, you’ll learn to collect, store, manage, and share data like a pro. These essential skills will help you make smart decisions in any field, from science and sports to business, health, and even criminal investigations.

The Case of the Missing Collectibles

For a class project, your ELA teacher asked each person to bring in a prized possession and write about it. Imagine a fancy show and tell. The items were on display in the school library. Many of the items were rare collectibles. Today, walking by the library you notice an empty shelf. A note was taped to the glass. You must use evidence, logic, and a little data analysis to figure out which collectibles are missing… and where to find them...who did it and why.

Your mission? As a Detective, crack the case using the one thing no criminal can outsmart — data.

You’ll follow leads, rule out suspects, and maybe even interrogate a few graphs. As each clue unfolds, you’ll learn how data tells a story, and you’ll use it to find out who took the student’s collectibles and why.

Are you ready to crack the code, catch the culprit, and earn your badge?

Let the investigation begin.

Learning Objectives

When you have completed this Thing, you will:

• Collect real evidence (a.k.a. data) from sources using forms [Knowledge Collector].
• Organize data into understandable formats in spreadsheets [Empowered Learner].
• Analyze data through sorting and filters to find patterns [Computational Thinker].
• Use formulas and functions to make the data work for you [Computational Thinker].
• Show relationships between data through charts [Creative Communicator].

• Visualize data to make smart, evidence-based decisions, like solving the mystery [Computational Thinker].