Node Lite - Intro to Data Science
Learn the basics of data science by analyzing and visualizing data in Python, no coding experience required.
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1) Course Overview
Discover what you'll learn in Node Lite. Learn more ↓
2) Meet Your Instructor
Get to know your new data guide. Learn more ↓
3) Extra Perks
Explore Forge student perks. Learn more ↓
4) All the Details
Learn about dates, deadlines, & tuition. Learn more ↓
Course Overview
Practice modern skills and learn from the data around you
In Node Lite, you'll learn the art and science of understanding, manipulating, and effectively using data. You'll also learn how to visualize your data and findings to share with those around you. This course is designed for students with minimal to no programming experience — if you have taken an intro-level CS class or you're somewhat comfortable with basic coding concepts, you should check out Node.
Through the use of real-world data, including some from the City of Charlottesville, students will be able to create impactful and insight-driven projects. We'll explore the context of our data as well as the implications it has for the people it affects. Students will also be given the tools to connect data science with their other interests.
Through the use of real-world data, including some from the City of Charlottesville, students will be able to create impactful and insight-driven projects. We'll explore the context of our data as well as the implications it has for the people it affects. Students will also be given the tools to connect data science with their other interests.
Skills You'll Learn
Data Analysis
Using Python and Python Pandas.
Data Visualization
Using Matplotlib, Tableau, and Plotly.
Explore a field that's changing the tech landscape and industry
The amount of data available to us is growing rapidly, and doesn't show any signs of slowing down soon. The breadth of data available to us allows for the exploration and connection with any field — wherever your interests lie, there is something to be learned from the field of data science.
Node Lite opened up my eyes to the world of data. I feel more interested in how data can work in conjunction with marketing.
Liza Arnold
NODE LITE COURSE GRADUATE
Node Lite instructors care about answering your questions, and the course has made me more interested in a quantitative career.
John Schindler
NODE LITE COURSE GRADUATE
Projects You'll Complete
Project 1: Python Arcade
Students will create a series of "arcade" games using the python basic skills they learn at the beginning of the course.
Project 2: Data Analysis Mini Project
Students will be given several datasets to choose, or they can opt to pick their own, which they will then ask questions about and clean through to find those answers.
Project 3: Full Data Science Process
Students will be asked to find a dataset relevant to a social impact issue that they will ask questions about, clean, create visualizations for, and present to the class.
Students will create a series of "arcade" games using the python basic skills they learn at the beginning of the course.
Project 2: Data Analysis Mini Project
Students will be given several datasets to choose, or they can opt to pick their own, which they will then ask questions about and clean through to find those answers.
Project 3: Full Data Science Process
Students will be asked to find a dataset relevant to a social impact issue that they will ask questions about, clean, create visualizations for, and present to the class.
Meet Your Instructor
Silas Hayes
Silas will be your guide in learning advanced data science this fall. Silas is a Forge member completed the Launch Data Science program and is ready to teach you the basics of data science.
Our student teaching model means our courses are constantly changing and improving, enabling you to learn skills that are more up-to-date than what you might learn in a typical classroom.
It also means we can be better mentors and guides for you. We know where you might get stuck and how to guide you through those challenges because we've been in your shoes before. And we know what makes a lesson fun (or extremely boring), so we always design programs that we'd want to participate in ourselves.
Our student teaching model means our courses are constantly changing and improving, enabling you to learn skills that are more up-to-date than what you might learn in a typical classroom.
It also means we can be better mentors and guides for you. We know where you might get stuck and how to guide you through those challenges because we've been in your shoes before. And we know what makes a lesson fun (or extremely boring), so we always design programs that we'd want to participate in ourselves.
Joining the Forge Community
At Forge, we give our people the skills they need to realize their big ideas and a community they can call home. Our courses are a great place to get to know our community, make new friends, and prepare for your future. All of our students get access to exclusive perks and opportunities beyond whatever course they're taking:
Free access to all of our member events
Exclusive networking opportunities with our alumni community
Opportunities for (sometimes paid!) projects to practice your new skills
Priority applications for Launch summer internship program
Dates, Deadlines, and Tuition
Fall 2021 Workshop Schedule
Node Lite has one section that meets from our clubhouse on Sunday's 11 am-1pm EST.
This course starts the week of September 12th and continue for 10 weeks.
This course starts the week of September 12th and continue for 10 weeks.
Time Commitment
Courses expect a 4-6 hour/week commitment. Outside of the 2 hours in workshop, you can expect to meet with your instructor weekly to get additional support (at flexible times) and to spend some time working with your classmates on projects.
Application Process and Deadlines
This course is not offered in the Spring.
$125 Course Fee
This is less than a twelfth of the average cost of a college course*. We also offer reduced payment options on a needs-basis, no questions asked. See below for more information on our financial aid.
*EducationData.org
*EducationData.org
Do you offer financial aid?
We are committed to making our courses accessible to all. We reduce or eliminate the program fee to all students who need it, no questions asked. Our aim is to enable everyone who wants to learn and join the Forge community. This is made possible by $20,000 in generous donations from our alumni network each year.
15% of students receive financial aid from Forge. 54% of aid goes to first-generation college students, and 80% of aid goes to people of color.
15% of students receive financial aid from Forge. 54% of aid goes to first-generation college students, and 80% of aid goes to people of color.
What's your refund policy?
We think you'll love Forge, but if you decide you need to drop, you may request a refund within 10 days of your course's first workshop meeting time. You'll receive a full refund, less a $20 operations fee. Beyond this date, no refunds will be given.
What are your online courses like?
We know how to do online teaching right. Teaching online is not new for us - we know how to make our courses fun, engaging, and interactive. Our Skills Courses went fully online in March of 2020 to protect the health of our students and instructors. In Fall 2021, our clubhouse will reopen to the public, but we will continue to offer programming for our online community. It is important that Forge remains open and accessible to students everywhere.
Since we've moved our courses online, our student satisfaction ratings haven't changed -- 95% of students would still recommend their course to a friend.
Since we've moved our courses online, our student satisfaction ratings haven't changed -- 95% of students would still recommend their course to a friend.
Do I need to have any background experience to apply?
No, you don't! This course is designed for people with little-to-no background experience.
What's your climate impact?
We donate 1% of all course tuition to carbon removal initiatives around the world. We also power our clubhouse with 100% clean wind and solar power. Learn more.
I have a question that wasn't answered here.
No problem! Reach out to hello@joinforge.co, and/or come to our online Open House to talk to our team and learn more.
"It's electric being at Forge. Surrounded by my people and given all the tools I need for success, I feel like I can do absolutely anything. The relentless creative energy of our students is what makes Forge unlike anything I've ever been a part of.
There is something so fundamentally special about our members that just working and learning beside them has helped me grow enormously as a leader and a learner."
- Rachel, Forge alumna
There is something so fundamentally special about our members that just working and learning beside them has helped me grow enormously as a leader and a learner."
- Rachel, Forge alumna
Explore Other Forge Programs
⛰ 1% of our membership dues and courses tuition goes toward carbon removal. ⛰ Learn more →
About Forge (formerly HackCville)
Forge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that prepares students with the modern skills they need to make an impact in the world. Each year, over 1,000 students learn things like design, marketing, and data science through our fun, engaging, community-driven projects and programs. We strive to empower students to realize their own potential while creating opportunities for them to make an impact for good.
In turn, we provide talent to 200+ tech companies, startups, and nonprofits across the country. Our home is our clubhouse near the University of Virginia, but our broader network of 2,000+ spans the globe. More about us →
In turn, we provide talent to 200+ tech companies, startups, and nonprofits across the country. Our home is our clubhouse near the University of Virginia, but our broader network of 2,000+ spans the globe. More about us →
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© 2021 Forge Academy
A 501(c)(3) non-profit
EIN: 46-1626349
A 501(c)(3) non-profit
EIN: 46-1626349