Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Topics
Data & Maps
Surveys & Programs
Resource Library
New Resources from Statistics in Schools Bring Census Data to the Classroom
Ever wonder how many amusement parks are in your state? If you live in Florida, it’s 53. Or how many businesses are in your county? In Sussex County, Delaware, for example, 6,074 have paid employees.
These answers come from the U.S. Census Bureau’s County Business Patterns but you’ll find many more in easy-to-use classroom resources and activities created by the Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools (SIS) program.
As teachers across the nation begin mapping out lesson plans, they can incorporate new and updated SIS resources in core subjects like: Math, English, History, Geography, and Sociology, to introduce students to Census Bureau data and how to use them in the real world.
“One of the goals of the SIS program is to show teachers that the word ‘statistics’ is not something that is only taught in high school or in math class.”
— Vicki Glasier, chief of the Statistics in Schools Branch
The Value of Statistics in Schools
“From using SIS charts, graphs, and maps…to teaching students how to read graphic information, (teachers) are always able to find value in our materials no matter what subject they teach or what field of education they’re in,” said Kimberley Glascoe, a SIS marketing specialist.
For example, educators can use the materials and games to help students learn while having fun playing SIS trivia games like Kahoot! and “Population Bracketology” and participating in other activities using Census Bureau “Fun Facts” handouts to pave the way.
“One of the goals of the SIS program is to show teachers that the word ‘statistics’ is not something that is only taught in high school or in math class,” said Vicki Glasier, chief of the Statistics in Schools Branch. “Elementary and middle school teachers can use SIS resources to supplement what they are teaching across all grades and subjects to help students understand the importance of data and build on their statistical literacy from an early age.”
Newest SIS Resources
Among new SIS lessons, warm-up activities and interactive data journeys now available:
- Fun Facts. From the value of fireworks imported to the United States to the number of businesses that make barbecue grills, the Census Bureau’s “Fun Facts” about 4th of July has the answers. We have fun nuggets about Hispanic Heritage Month, Constitution Day, and Back To School, too. These resources are entertaining and colorful, and easy to download for use in the classroom.
- Interactive Maps. After diving into some business, demographic, and population data, students and teachers alike may enjoy exploring new interactive State Facts for Students display. Students can click on their state or one of the other 49 states (plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, or American Samoa) to learn about Census Bureau data available at the state level. Students may be amazed to learn things like how their state’s population compares to others, how workers in their state commute or how many households have smartphones.
Note: Select the image to go to the interactive data visualization.
- Play Statistics in Schools Games on Kahoot!. SIS has an assortment of nine Kahoot! U.S. Census Bureau Data games. These games highlight Census Bureau statistics on holidays, anniversaries and observances of America’s diverse populations. One new game to be released later this month, “From Diplomas to Degrees: Exploring U.S. Education Statistics,” tests your knowledge by asking questions like: Has the percentage of adults who completed high school in the last 10 years increased or decreased? What was the average annual salary of workers with a bachelor’s degree?
SIS Ambassador Program
Through the SIS Ambassador program, a community of teachers, librarians and others in the education field can promote SIS activities and participate in select SIS virtual events and special initiatives.
Collaborating with other educators, librarians and the Census Bureau, the current 72 SIS ambassadors devise innovative ways to bridge the gap between data and the real world and boost statistical literacy of K-12 students nationwide.
SIS ambassadors can receive a digital badge and other national recognition for their efforts spreading the word about the value of census data.
“We are always looking for new and innovative ideas and ways to work with teachers,” Glasier said. “In addition to new resources and ideas like virtual field trips and connecting students to Census experts virtually, we are keeping a list of new subject areas we would like to create content for, including economics.”
Adam Grundy is a supervisory statistician in the Census Bureau’s Economic Management Division.
Shannan Alston is a survey statistician in the Economic Management Division.
This article was filed under:
Related Statistics
-
Stats for StoriesBack to School: August 2023The October 2021 Current Population Survey found 73.8 million total students enrolled in school, which is 23.5 percent of the population 3 years and older.
-
Stats for StoriesNational Teacher Appreciation Week and Day: May 8-12 and May 9, 2023The 2021 American Community Survey counted about 5.95M teachers in the U.S. including preschool to postsecondary, special ed, tutors, assistants, and other.
-
Stats for StoriesNational Kindergarten Day: April 21, 2023The 2021 Current Population Survey found 4.1M children in kindergarten, an increase of 370,000 in one year.
-
Stats for StoriesAmerican Education Week: November 13-17, 2023In FY2021, spending per U.S. student (public pre-K through 12th grade) was $14,347 and enrollment was 49.6 million.
Subscribe
Our email newsletter is sent out on the day we publish a story. Get an alert directly in your inbox to read, share and blog about our newest stories.
Contact our Public Information Office for media inquiries or interviews.
-
America Counts StoryConnecting With Partners: NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONJune 09, 2020Promoting 2020 Census response is important to educators because the decennial count informs funding for schools and other community services.
-
America Counts StoryTeachers Are Among Most Educated, Yet Their Pay LagsJuly 21, 2022New U.S. Census Bureau data visualization shows median earnings for elementary, middle school and high school teachers by educational attainment, sex and age.
-
America Counts StoryTeachers Can Now “Pin” Census Statistics Class Activities on PinterestApril 08, 2020Classroom activities and other resources for pre-K-12 teachers are now available on Pinterest for each of the 50 states, Puerto Rico and four U.S. Island Areas.
-
Business and EconomyEconomic Census Geographic Area Statistics Data Now AvailableApril 07, 2025A new data visualization based on the 2022 Economic Census shows the changing business landscape of 19 economic sectors across the United States.
-
Income and PovertyWhat Sources of Income Do People Rely On?April 02, 2025A new interactive data tool shows income sources for hundreds of demographic and economic characteristic combinations.
-
Business and EconomyBig Improvements to the Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES)March 26, 2025The Census Bureau is making several changes and enhancements to capture 2024 economic data based on feedback from last year’s survey.
-
PopulationOnly 50 U.S. Counties Had Populations Over a Million in 2024March 17, 2025A new data visualization highlights U.S. counties between 1970 and 2024 whose populations ever surpassed a million.
Page Last Revised - November 7, 2024
✕
Is this page helpful?
Yes
No
Yes
No✕
NO THANKS
255 characters maximum
255 characters maximum reached
255 characters maximum reached
✕
Thank you for your feedback.
Comments or suggestions?
Comments or suggestions?
