Delaware
Taylor Swift inspired workshop at University of Delaware helping students learn data analytics
Inside University of Delaware’s Taylor Swift inspired data analytics series
A Taylor Swift-inspired workshop series at the University of Delaware is helping students learn data analysis.
Data Enchanted is the clever title of a University of Delaware workshop series on data analytics and, if it sounds intimidating, Assistant Economics Professor Dr. Kathryn Bender gets that.
“The friendship bracelets. Yes!” she said. It is a favorite of Taylor Swift fans.
“You’re just sitting there putting a bead on a string and it also makes meeting new people and talking to people a little bit easier,” said Dr. Bender who came up with the theme.
Beyond a bedazzled doorway is where the magic of data happens.
“Are you ready for your life to be changed?” said the professor to the students.
Zach Seymour is a data mentor.
“We’re really there as auxiliaries to help along the students,” he said. Data mentors wear an introduction tee-shirt with a twist to the Taylor song Anti Hero. Seymour says what is happening here is important for entering the workforce.
MORE TAYLOR SWIFT HEADLINES:
“It just gives somebody a real understanding of what they learn in class that they don’t really get just through doing homework and exams,” he said.
And the Taylor tie?
“Taylor Swift songs specifically data from Spotify. So looking at some variables we have made, like how playable it is for a car ride, time signature or length of the song,” said Seymour.
Emma Aucker says she had never done data analysis.
“It’s not something just like raw data. It is like oh, it is her streaming data or something like that. So it is more approachable if you are new to things,” said Aucker. She is excited about learning to use the data analytics tool Stata.
“It’s a way to clean your data, organize your data and manage your data,” she said. The knowledge gained here is for everyone.
However, Aucker does not want bad blood with super fans so she has a confession.
“I do not self-identify as a Swifty because I feel like that’s a little insulting to Swifties. I am very much a Taylor Swift appreciator but I do not think I have their level of commitment,” she laughed. The workshop is eight sessions and awards each student a certificate of completion.
Delaware Wildland Fire Supervisor Sam Topper warns of increase in wildfires
Don’t burn fires outdoors, the Delaware Fire Service urges.
The aftermath of America’s birthday has created some danger in the air in Delaware.
The state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said “increased particles from overnight regional fireworks” and Canadian wildfire smoke would be the main factors behind an air quality that is “unhealthy for sensitive groups” on July 5. Sunny skies and high temperatures in the upper 80s would also contribute to ozone formation, DNREC said.
DNREC issued an “ozone code orange” air quality forecast. The air could be dangerous for sensitive groups like older adults, young children and those with heart/respiratory conditions. These groups are recommended to limit all outdoor activities, especially “activities with high exertion,” the department said.
How is air quality judged?
Air quality is judged through the Air Quality Index. This rates the severity of air pollution from 0 to 500, with 500 being the worst air quality.
An AQI below 50 is good, between 51 and 100 is considered moderate, and above 100 is considered unhealthy.
For July 5, the AQI ozone forecast is 101 while the AQI for particle pollution is a mid-moderate 71.
When will air quality return to normal?
According to DNREC, air quality is expected to return to somewhat normal on July 6. An ozone code yellow is expected, implying that the air quality is “acceptable.” The particle pollution forecast is also code yellow.
Those looking for more information on Delaware’s air quality can view Delaware’s air data at airnow.gov or de.gov/airdata for current air monitoring data.
Adam Denn is an intern for Delaware Online/The News Journal. You can reach him at ADenn@gannett.com
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has issued a recreational water advisory on Thursday for Rehoboth Beach due to high bacterial results.
The swimming advisory was issued for the beach at Rehoboth Avenue. It started at 3:31 p.m. and will be in effect until Friday, the Fourth of July, at 5:31 p.m.
“The purpose of this swimming advisory is to advise the public that elevated bacteria levels were found during routine sampling so that individuals are equipped to make informed decisions about recreational water activities based on their personal medical condition,” the DNREC wrote in a news release. “Illness risk from elevated bacteria results is most significant in persons with certain medical conditions or compromised immune systems, and it is recommended to ask your doctor if you are unsure whether you are in the at-risk group for infections from recreational water contact.”
The DNREC said the high levels of bacteria at the beach on Rehoboth Avenue are likely because of heavy rainfall, which leads to runoff in the days before the sampling.
“Historical knowledge shows that water quality conditions change quickly at our ocean beaches; an additional sample has been taken at Rehoboth Beach – Rehoboth Avenue, and the advisory will be lifted once indicator bacteria levels are below the standard,” the DNREC wrote.
Over 1,300 people were without power around 4:30 p.m. on June 29 in the Dagsboro and Ocean View areas.
The Delaware Electric Cooperative reported the 1,348-member outage on social media, adding that the cause is unknown. Crews were headed to investigate and restore power in the area along the Indian River, east of Vines Creek.
Storms are expected to continue passing through the area until around 9 p.m.
First Alert Forecast: Gusty trades and elevated fire danger continue into Tuesday
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