Celebrating Empowered Youth: How Women & Data Costa Rica Bridges Data Science and Art

A Singularly Successful #DCDonates Partnership

Since November 2021, with the generous support of DataCamp, Women & Data Costa Rica has successfully graduated two cohorts of students who have had the opportunity to access DataCamp professional licenses at no cost (read the story). These talented participants are young women hailing from rural areas of Costa Rica and are currently enrolled in high school. Throughout their journey, they've been guided by a dedicated team of tutors who are pursuing data science studies at local universities.

The Women & Data team has crafted a comprehensive curriculum based on DataCamp courses, encompassing essential data science technologies such as Python, Power BI, and SQL. Additionally, participants actively engage in Women & Data's various initiatives, including the renowned Women in Data Science Costa Rica conference, which has solidified its status as one of Central America's premier annual data science events.

An exciting addition to this year's conference was the introduction of a data art workshop, organized and led by students from the DataCamp Donates program. The conference venue featured a collection of physical models, each representing distinct data visualization styles, using materials like yarn, styrofoam balls, and paint marks. Attendees were encouraged to interact with these materials, contributing their data to the overall visualization. At the conference's culmination, the participants showcased the final visualizations, illustrating the impact of creativity and collaborative effort in data projects

Yarubi’s Data Science Journey

Yarubi, a member of the program's second graduating cohort, hails from the province of Limón in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica. Today, we are delighted to share Yarubi's inspiring testimony about her experience with DataCamp Donates and the Women in Data Science conference.

My journey through the Data Science program with DataCamp was a completely new and unfamiliar experience for me, given my lack of prior knowledge in the field. I distinctly remember my initial struggles when I first engaged with the platform. The very first day was challenging as I grappled to grasp how it all worked. However, my determination to learn never wavered, and I persisted until I conquered each task set by my dedicated tutors. Gradually, the course material started making more sense, and I found myself falling in love with the subject matter. Each day, I eagerly delved into the different modules, acquiring new skills with enthusiasm.

As part of the program crafted by Women & Data, I had the privilege of participating in the Women in Data Science Costa Rica conference. It was during this event that I joined the team responsible for the data art workshop, where we creatively incorporated audience preferences into our visualizations.

Perhaps the most profound takeaway from the conference was the opportunity to connect with people who shared a deep passion for Data Science. Presenting in front of an engaged audience allowed me to articulate and showcase the newfound knowledge and skills I had acquired through the program.

Fueled by these empowering experiences, I also decided to participate in the National Data Visualization Contest of Costa Rica. To my delight, I secured third place in the high-school category, creating a Power BI dashboard that analyzed the gender distribution across various university programs in the country.

In conclusion, this program has been a transformative journey. I am now resolute in my desire to pursue a professional career in Data Science, particularly focusing on the instructive and artistic aspects of data visualization.

Dashboard created by Yarubi that won third place in the National Data Visualization Competition in Costa Rica.

Yadira Barahona, a seasoned data analyst, and Yarubi's mentor, shares her thoughts with us: “Right from the outset of this journey, I was deeply impressed by Yarubi's enthusiasm. Her talent for translating her acquired data visualization skills from DataCamp into practical applications, particularly her keen grasp of graph functionality, led us to achieve remarkable results. Witnessing Yarubi's growth and accomplishments fills me with immense pride, and I cherish the opportunity I had to guide her through this project. She has inspired me to work alongside the younger generation."

Here at Women & Data Costa Rica, we eagerly anticipate the launch of our next DataCamp Donates cohort. We are committed to fostering and nurturing the talents of promising young individuals like Yarubi, guiding them on a path to discovering the captivating world of data science.

DC Donates x W&D Costa Rica: Empowering Your Journey in Data Science

As we celebrate the success of our recent cohorts, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming call for the 2024-2025 cohort at DataCamp Donates. This incredible opportunity, made possible by the generous support of DataCamp, invites young and aspiring high school students to embark on a transformative journey in data science and art.

Why Join DataCamp Donates?

1. Free Access to DataCamp Premium Licenses

No matter the technology you’re learning, there’s no need to purchase, download, or install any additional software.

2. Guidance from Dedicated Tutors

Benefit from the expertise of our dedicated team of tutors, all actively pursuing data science studies at local universities. Receive personalized guidance throughout your journey.

3. Comprehensive Curriculum

Engage with a comprehensive curriculum crafted by the Women & Data team, based on DataCamp courses. Learn essential data science technologies, including Python, Power BI, and SQL. Acquire skills that will set you on a path to success in the dynamic field of data science, this also gives you the opportunity to attain skill and career Certifications, once a Power BI track is complete, DataCamp invests 50% of the cost of the Microsoft certification.

4. Content in Spanish

There is a new amazing feature for Spanish language speakers: DataCamp now offers Spanish courses, allowing students to complete them in their native language. The platform focuses on making learning easier for users in Latin America and beyond.

How to Apply

If you're a young woman in Costa Rica interested in data and AI, don't miss the chance to be part of this empowering program! Read the Spanish version of this blog post on the Women & Data Costa Rica website for the link to apply.

Embark on your journey of empowerment, creativity, and discovery with Women & Data Costa Rica. We can't wait to welcome you to our vibrant community of aspiring data scientists and artists! Stay tuned for updates and join us in shaping the future of data science and art.