Discover, explore, and use free data to understand your world!
By the end of this 1-hour session, students will understand what open data is, why it matters, and will have completed a hands-on activity using real open data β either mapping their school neighborhood on OpenStreetMap or creating a chart from real World Bank data.
After completing this session, the student will be able to:
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Basic computer skills (browser, keyboard, mouse)
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An internet connection and a web browser (Firefox recommended)
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No prior knowledge of data, maps, or coding needed
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A parent/teacher email to create an OpenStreetMap account (or pre-created accounts)
Every tool in this session is free, open source, and works on any computer (Windows, Linux, macOS, Chromebook). No installations needed for the core activities β everything runs in the browser.
1. Hands-on activity: Successfully make one edit on OpenStreetMap OR create one chart from real data
2. Mini-quiz: 5 multiple-choice questions at the end of the session (see below)
3. Reflection: Students write 2 sentences: "One thing I learned" and "One thing I want to explore more"
π Certificate: Students who complete the activity + score 3/5 or higher on the quiz receive the Alin Li Open Data Explorer certificate
Icebreaker: "What map app do you use?" Discussion about maps in daily life.
Simple explanation with 3 real examples kids can relate to. The Recipe Analogy.
Teacher shows OSM, zooms into the school, shows what's mapped and what's missing.
5-minute break. Students stretch, get water.
Students choose Activity A (OpenStreetMap editing) or Activity B (Data Chart). 20 minutes of guided practice.
3β4 students share what they mapped or charted. Class discusses.
5-question quiz + 2-sentence reflection writing.
Key takeaways, resources for home, certificate announcement.
Closed data is like a restaurant that serves amazing cake but keeps the recipe secret. You can eat it, but you can't make it yourself or share it.
Open data is like a baker who posts the recipe online for free. Anyone can read it, bake the cake, change the recipe (add chocolate!), and share it with friends. The recipe is free for everyone, forever.
OpenStreetMap β the free map built by 10 million volunteers. Like Wikipedia but for maps!
Every weather app uses open weather data. The measurements come from government weather stations β free for all!
Google Maps knows your bus times because cities publish schedules as open data. Any app can use it!
In 2010, a huge earthquake hit Haiti. Rescue teams arrived but had NO detailed maps of the streets! Google and Apple hadn't mapped it β it wasn't "profitable." So thousands of volunteers worldwide opened OpenStreetMap, traced buildings and roads from satellite photos, and created the best map of Haiti in 48 hours. Rescue teams used these maps to find survivors. Regular people β sitting at home β saved lives by adding data to a free map. That's the power of open data.
Open data means everyone can know β not just those who can pay. Knowledge belongs to all.
Goal: Each student adds at least ONE real thing to OpenStreetMap β a shop, a park bench, a footpath, a school building, or any feature near your school that is missing from the map.
Before the session, check OSM for your school area and note 5β10 things that are missing (shops, paths, buildings). Write them on the board as "mapping challenges" for students. This gives direction and makes it a fun hunt!
Goal: Each student picks a country, downloads real data from the World Bank, and creates a bar chart or line chart comparing something interesting.
Easy (ages 9β11): Internet users (% of population) β compare 5 countries over 10 years. The chart is dramatic and easy to discuss!
Medium (ages 12β14): Life expectancy at birth β compare your country with 4 others. Why are some higher? What does this tell us about healthcare?
β’ What surprised you about the data?
β’ Why do you think some countries score higher than others?
β’ Could this data help a government make better decisions?
β’ What other data would you want to see?
Answer all 5 questions. You need 3/5 to pass!
1. "One thing I learned today about open data is: _______________"
2. "Something I want to explore more is: _______________"
Students can write this on paper or type it. Collect reflections to understand what resonated and what needs follow-up.
πΊοΈ openstreetmap.org β Keep mapping! Add more to your neighborhood
π data.worldbank.org β Explore data for any country in the world
π tasks.hotosm.org β Help map areas that need it (disaster response!)
π€οΈ open-meteo.com β Free weather data API β track your city's weather!
Map 5 more things in your neighborhood on OpenStreetMap this week. Take a walk, notice shops, paths, benches, and trees β then add them to the map when you get home. Bring a screenshot of your edits to the next session!
Open data softens the barriers between people and knowledge. Today you learned to use it. Now go share it! β¨
This session is designed to meet HAKA e-course quality criteria:
At the end of the session, ask students to rate (thumbs up / middle / down):
1. Was the session interesting?
2. Was it easy to follow?
3. Would you map more at home?
Collect reflections and quiz scores. Use them to improve the next session.