Where math meets justice, and young voices lead the way.
Data Warriors
We equip youth to lead change in their communities through the power of data, stories, and action.
About Us
Powerful & Insightful Change-Makers
Data Warriors students engage in Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) alongside university faculty and high school teachers to develop research projects, build data literacy skills, and move towards addressing community concerns. The Data Warriors program equips Syracuse youth with tools to investigate real issues in their neighborhoods—like environmental injustice and systemic racism—using the power of math, maps, and storytelling.
Through hands-on research, youth-led teams, and community collaboration, our students grow as leaders while creating real-world impact. We believe that when young people have the skills and space to lead, they can transform systems—and reimagine a more just future.
Come join us
We believe youth have the power to ask bold questions, challenge injustice, and reimagine what’s possible, one dataset at a time.
News
5 Data Warriors Student Research Fellows Chosen to Work With SCSD Youth
Grad
uate and undergraduate students will work with 21 high schoolers and will use math, maps and data analysis to study and solve community issues.
Lender Center Faculty Fellow Empowers High Schoolers Via Math, Maps, Data Literacy
Armed with troves of data, maps and charts, graphic visualizations and mathematical skills, groups of local high schoolers are taking innovative approaches to understanding and inspiring solutions to pressing community problems. They are participants in a program led by Nicole Fonger, associate professor of mathematics and mathematics education in the College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education, who is the newest Lender Center for Social Justice faculty fellow.
High School Students Aim to Combat Injustices through Data Warriors Groups
Data Warriors started as an extracurricular group at Nottingham a few years ago, the brainchild of Math teacher Ken Keech and Syracuse University professor Nicole Fonger. Nottingham students are just completing their third year with the program. This year, a new Data Warriors group began at Henninger, led by Math teacher and Corcoran graduate Xavier Trapps.
Fostering Community Resilience
9 May, 2025
The Engaged Humanities Network hosted its second Community Showcase, highlighting the collaborative research, teaching and creative work between Syracuse University and community partners.
Make(r) Space for the Data Warriors
Syracuse University School of Education - EDucation Exchange 2024
Coordinated by Nicole Fonger, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Mathematics
Education, and SOE graduate students—and supported by a CNY Humanities Corridor
grant—the Data Warriors of Nottingham High School use mathematics, stories, and
mapping to explore social justice issues impacting Syracuse communities.
For Many Graduate Students, Community-Engaged Scholarship Gives Extra Meaning to the Educational Experience
Lauren Ashby, a Ph.D. student in sociology, works with Data Warriors, a club at SCSD’s Nottingham High School that uses math and mapping to advance social justice and address local issues. She previously ran a summer research program for SCSD students on geographic information systems (technology that creates, analyzes and plots data to a map).
Our impact
The Data Warriors program is expanding. Our growth will expand data literacy education and impact across Syracuse neighborhoods and communities, within and beyond our schools and universities.
Our partners
