Statistical Paradoxes

Today, Monday, June, 3, the Coding Girls Tour alights at the “Aldo Moro” University of Bari with a creathon on data science, a key subject for the comprehension and analysis of contemporary phenomena. The intitiative, entitled “Paradoxes in Statistics and We Are the Data,” has been launched and coordinated with the Italian Statistics Society, and has been adopted by many Italian universities. Statistics is not just a subject to study. It’s a tool for interpreting the reality around us. Through the analysis of data, the students, aided by qualified coaches, professors, and university students, discovered how numbers can influence key decisions in any sector.

How did the students at the Liceo Salvemini in Bari train for today's challenge? Anna Pia Ambrosio, digital civil service operator, interviewed various protagonists.

There was unanimous recognition and gratitude for the precious organization and coordination work carried out by the Mathematics Professor Giuditta Occhiogrosso:

“The professor was very collaborative and supportive, while leaving great autonomy to us coaches.”

“She proved to be invaluable for the smooth operation of the project. Right from the first meetings, she stood out for her availability and kindness, demonstrating great attention to our needs and creating a welcoming climate that facilitated our integration into the school environments.”

“Her professional demeanour clearly emerged in her constant willingness to provide us with valuable advice and suggestions, accompanying us with patience and competence throughout the entire process.”

“You immediately welcomed us with great enthusiasm and availability. You were a point of reference for the success of the project, especially from a human point of view.”

“Thanks to her constant presence, the project was successfully carried out. Her dedication and commitment inspired and guided the entire team, contributing significantly to the achievement of the objectives.”

STATEMENTS

Samuela Labate, Professor of Mathematics (high school), Professor of Statistics (university) 
“I am fascinated by the world of numbers and science. Knowing how to interpret data and read science through the language of mathematics allows you to measure yourself with all the constantly evolving technology and are increasingly significant for society. I think that the Coding Girls experience is highly educational and enriching both for high school students who are about to attend university and for university students acting as coaches who are faced with the great challenge of transmitting knowledge. It is precisely from being involved that healthy competition is born to improve from a perspective of interrelationships and knowledge exchange. Thus, technology and statistics have become a perfect combination for to tackling data and new strategies for analysing it, an approach similar to that of data science which is increasingly emerging as a true interpreter of the data economy and data driven business.”
 

Pinto Nicola, Degree in Business Studies, master’s student in “Innovation, Governance, and Sustainability”
“I have been interested in technology since I was young and firmly believe in the importance of teaching new generations to master it and use it correctly and usefully. My main motivation to become a Coding Girls coach was the opportunity to share my passion for technology and statistics and see the enthusiasm and skills of students grow in these fields. Being a coach fills me with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. It is rewarding to see students acquire new skills. This experience has provided me with immense personal satisfaction. I was struck by seeing how shyest and most insecure students, acquired awareness of their abilities during this journey. If I were to change anything, I would like to have more face-to-face time with the students in school environments.”

Lucia Spagnuolo, university student, coach
“I am very interested in sustainability and innovative technology. I like working on projects that allow me to acquire new skills, broadening my cultural background, and disseminating the knowledge I have acquired during my studies. I am always looking for new challenges and opportunities to make a difference. I decided to participate in Coding Girls driven by the desire to enrich my skills and experiences. I believe that training young people is of great importance, as well as a highly rewarding experience. The possibility of creating a relationship with the new generations has allowed me to understand their expectations and their way of approaching education and life in general, realities that are often very different from those of my generation. The experience provided me with great satisfaction, both from a personal and professional point of view. I had the opportunity to share knowledge and skills with the students, drawing mutual benefit, thanks to the adoption of an inclusive and integrative training method. An exciting experience, albeit with some small organizational issues.

Ginesia Marano, 24 anni, master’s student in “Innovation, Governance, and Sustainability”
“Technology and sustainability are two of my greatest interests. I believe that technology is essential to improving our lives and building a sustainable future. It is essential to make people understand the importance of this and teach them how to best use it. Taking advantage of technological tools to monitor, analyse, and improve our behaviour can make a significant contribution to a better and more sustainable world. I participated in the Coding Girl project as a tutor of four students from the Liceo Scientifico Salvemini in Bari, teaching them about statistics starting from the analysis of indicators of fair and sustainable well-being (BES). It was exciting to see how they quickly understood the basic concepts of statistics and immediately showed an interest. Their initial curiosity, but above all their final achievement, were very gratifying. It was a pleasant challenge, as I was involved both in determining the most suitable educational approach, and then in transmitting the skills in a precise but simple manner. It was a beautiful experience from a human point of view that I would undoubtedly repeat! The students I tutored all showed great interest. They immediately struck me with their curiosity and active participation through questions. In fact, during the breaks they continued to discuss the project!”

Paola Del Vecchio, 27, coach
“I am a proactive, ambitious, and determined person, with a strong passion for economics and a strong interest in environmental sustainability. At work and in life, I always try to learn new things to expand my skills and knowledge. In teamwork, I leverage collaboration and constructive competition. I like meeting new people and having new experiences. Thanks to the Coding Girls project, I had the opportunity to interact with high school students, an experience that proved to be extremely rewarding and enlightening. Collaborating and relating to a younger generation was particularly interesting, as it allowed me not only to put my knowledge of statistics into practice, experiencing the role of a "teacher" for the first time, but above all it was fascinating to learn from the students, about their modern points of view and the freshness of their ideas. This experience showed me the importance of diversifying our social interactions and sharing knowledge and provided me with great satisfaction in seeing their enthusiasm and progress. Coding Girls is a significant project that has enriched both my professional and personal life, highlighting the importance of educating and inspiring new generations.

The coaches also highlighted particular students who stood out for their contribution to the common work:

Alessia impressed us with her determination, curiosity, and enterprise.

Claudio stood out for his ability to work in a team and help teammates in difficulty. His collaborative attitude helped create a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Marco has will, enthusiasm, and resourcefulness. His creativity in developing the project led to innovative and original ideas. He inspired and motivated the whole team.

Davide, very brilliant, knew how to use his soft skills and contributed significantly to the success of the initiative.

Vito is a curious, willing, polite, and hard-working student. His work ethic and desire to improve is exemplary.

Also noteworthy is the contribution of Micaela, a girl who stands out for her kindness and sweetness; her cheerful nature contributed significantly to the creation of a positive climate for the group, promoting learning.