Buffalo, NY – A group of 20 City of Buffalo residents attended their first “Data 101” class on November 27th, kicking off a free, four-week course to teach residents the basics of how to use data available on the Open Data Buffalo portal to become change agents in their neighborhoods and the community-at-large.
“When we launched the Open Data Buffalo initiative in February, our goal was to increase government transparency and create a more engaged community through online access of a broad range of City data,” Mayor Brown said. “Data 101 is a milestone in that process, giving our residents the skills they need to gather and use that data in community projects that will make our City stronger.”
Data 101 classes are being held at the Erie Community College City Campus computer lab and are taught by City data personnel, led by Kirk McLean, Program Manager, Open Data Buffalo.
“Over the past nine months, the City has made great strides in opening up City data for residents and everyone to see and use. Data 101 is an important next step in our open data program because we want residents to have the knowledge and skills necessary to gain a deeper understanding of their communities from the data the City collects every day,” McLean said.
Students in the City’s inaugural Data 101 course were selected from a diverse mix of residents would applied to the program. The resulting class of students, from across the City of Buffalo, ranging from millennials to seniors, including several representatives of Buffalo block clubs and community organizations.
Students will conclude the inaugural Data 101 course on December 20th, with project presentations and a graduation ceremony.
The City’s free Open Data Buffalo portal can be found at: data.buffalony.gov.