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NATCHITOCHES — As Louisiana prepares to implement a statewide computer science graduation requirement, students at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) are already applying coding skills in innovative ways.
Students recently presented final projects from Data Analysis for the Humanities, a new interdisciplinary course blending computer science with history, literature, music, and cultural studies. The course is cross-listed for computer science and American history credit, helping students meet future requirements while exploring nontraditional uses of data analysis.
Beginning in 2031, Louisiana students will be required to complete a full year of computer science coursework. Anticipating this change, LSMSA faculty members Dr. Brad Burkman and Dr. Casey Green collaborated to design a course that aligns with upcoming standards and appeals to students interested in the humanities and arts.
Rather than focusing only on numerical data, the course treats texts, music, and historical records as datasets. Students used Python and Jupyter notebooks to collect, clean, analyze, and visualize large datasets, often producing maps, graphs, and interactive websites.
Student projects included analyses of professional basketball statistics across eras, geographic representation in The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, lyrical sentiment in R.E.M.’s discography, and the relationship between physical demands and compensation in professional sports.
With a small cohort of six students, the course emphasized individualized research, close faculty mentorship, and effective digital storytelling. The program reflects LSMSA’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning and preparation for evolving academic and workforce expectations.
LSMSA is a tuition-free, public residential high school serving high-achieving students from across Louisiana. Learn more at LSMSA.edu.
