Scientists coring sea ice - credit Marcel Nicolaus

Data Puzzles

Data Puzzles

Making sense with science

Scientists and students exploring

Are you looking for ways to bring authentic and relevant scientific data into your classroom? You've come to the right place! Data Puzzles combine classroom-friendly scientific datasets with the research-backed pedagogical practices of Ambitious Science Teaching to give your students the ultimate inquiry-based learning experience.

We believe that students should learn science the same way scientists do - through exploration, discovery, and sense-making grounded in observations of the natural world. In a way, science is like a puzzle - the bigger picture is revealed after hunting for and putting the pieces together. Our planet is full of exciting and intriguing phenomena - invite them into your science classroom today!

If you have any questions, please email datapuzzles@colorado.edu.

Resources

Upcoming Events

Sep
Wed
03
2025
4:00 pm MT
Data Sensemaking Strategies with Scientists - Slow Reveal

In this FREE Data Puzzles workshop, curriculum developer Jon Griffith and biologist Dr. Megan DeMarche will guide participants through two data sensemaking strategies: 1) slow reveal, and 2) Evidence For, Evidence Against, that were recently added to a Data Puzzle lesson focused on ecological tipping points.

Logo of Data Puzzles showing a globe made of four interlocking puzzle pieces, with the text ‘DATA PUZZLES’ curved above and the tagline ‘Solving world with science’ curved below >
Oct
Wed
08
2025
4:00 pm MT
Data Sensemaking Strategies with Scientists - Notice, Think, Wonder

In this FREE Data Puzzles workshop, curriculum developer Jon Griffith and atmospheric scientist Dr. Jen Kay will guide participants through a novel approach to the Notice, Think, Wonder strategy to support students make sense of global temperature and atmospheric CO2 data visualizations.

Logo of Data Puzzles showing a globe made of four interlocking puzzle pieces, with the text ‘DATA PUZZLES’ curved above and the tagline ‘Solving world with science’ curved below. >
Nov
Wed - Thu
05 - 06
2025
5:00 pm MT
Data Sensemaking Strategies with Scientists - Zoom In to explore the Megadrought

In this FREE Data Puzzles workshop, curriculum developer Jon Griffith and hydrologist Seth Arens will engage participants with the Zoom In data sensemaking strategy as a way to support students explore and explain the cause of the ongoing megadrought in the CO River Basin.

Logo of Data Puzzles showing a globe made of four interlocking puzzle pieces, with the text ‘DATA PUZZLES’ curved above and the tagline ‘Solving world with science’ curved below. >

Asynchronous Events

Asynchronous Event

Wind Farms of the Future

Middle and High school science teachers are invited to join us for this virtual workshop where we will provide strategies for facilitating "Wind Farms of the Future" data puzzle. Participants who complete and submit specified workshop tasks will receive a 3-hour PD certificate from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Data Puzzles Logo

Asynchronous Event

It's All Connected

Middle and High school science teachers are invited to join us for this virtual workshop where we will provide strategies for facilitating "It's All Connected" data puzzle. Participants who complete and submit specified workshop tasks will receive a 3-hour PD certificate from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Data Puzzles Logo

Asynchronous Event

To Reflect or Not to Reflect, That is the Question

Middle and High school science teachers are invited to join us for this virtual workshop where we will provide strategies for facilitating "To Reflect or Not to Reflect, That is the Question" data puzzle. Participants who complete and submit specified workshop tasks will receive a 3-hour PD certificate from the University of Colorado Boulder.

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Illustration of two people high-fiving in a work environment

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