Community Data Labs


Flow chart of Community Data Labs

Overview

This capstone-like class invites students with an interest in data science to spend a semester working on real-world projects provided by community partners from across Kansas and beyond. Every spring, we create a supportive environment for hands-on learning where students can develop their skills, challenge themselves, and gain valuable experience. 

Cultivating data-driven solutions is rewarding work. Students often find that this experience is valued by potential employers and that skills learned in the Community Data Labs are flexible and broadly applicable to future studies and careers. Community Data Labs has several sponsored data projects from community partners. This class is offered to undergraduate upperclassmen and graduate students. 

During the semester, we expect students to learn or improve their skills in:

  • Data management and wrangling
  • Data analysis and visualization
  • Statistical inference and prediction
  • Computer Programming
  • Data-driven decision making
  • Problem solving
  • Communication

Federal Data Workshops

Tuesdays, 12:30 - 1:45 PM | Fraser Hall, Room 547

This Spring, Community Data Labs will host workshops to discuss agencies in the federal statistics system. Each session will provide an overview of the data and participants will work with these datasets in Stata. Please bring your laptop with a Stata license or access Stata using KU Virtual Desktop.

See session outline below:

January 28Bureau of Labor Statistics
February 4Bureau of Economic Analysis
February 11National Center of Education Statistics
February 18Bureau of Justice Statistics 
February 25National Center of Health Statistics
March 4Census Bureau

2025 Community Data Lab Projects
SponsorProject
ARISEMapping Community Anchor Institutions in KS
Kansas City, MOBuilding Energy Performance Dashboard
Ground Water Management Districts 1, 3 & 4Water Use in Western GMDs 1, 3 & 4
KS Dept. of CommerceRural Cost of Living Index
KS Dept. of AgricultureImpact of Conservation Programs
Lied Center Marketing Data Analysis
City of LincolnSustainability Plan
City of LawrenceHousing Analysis
City of ManhattanHousing Dashboard
Wyandotte CountyDashboard of survey data
Justice MattersYouth Trauma in Douglas County

Additional Information

Spring 2025 Community Data Labs are underway! For information on enrolling in Spring 2026 or becoming a community partner, use the links below.