The Office of Management and Budget is set to launch a program to train select federal personnel in data science. Launching mid-September, the Federal Data Science Training Program aims to teach up to 60 government employees data science skills like coding, graph analytics, and data visualization and ethics. All 24 Chief Financial Officers Act agencies will receive two to three slots in the program, which will be completely online due to the pandemic. “This is definitely an emerging field, and I think from a federal standpoint … we’re going out and looking for the best talent that’s out there,” said Denis Ortega, a fellow with the White House Leadership Development Program. “And at times when we don’t necessarily have the ability to go out and recruit, we’re looking at how we can develop that skill in house.” Dave Nyczepir has the scoop.

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Arizona State University launches virtual teacher institute

Educators in Arizona will have access to new professional development training through a new program from Arizona State University. The new program, called the Arizona Virtual Teacher Institute, is designed to support educators as they adjust to the challenges of starting a school year during a pandemic. “At present, it is unlikely that any Arizona school community will be in a position to begin the new school year in the traditional, in-person, on-campus setting,” said Kathy Hoffman, Arizona State’s superintendent of public instruction. Betsy Foresman reports.

Improving STEM access in Illinois

The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology launched a new website last week serving as a central portal for all things STEM. The new website provides information on events, news and resources for students of all ages — K-12 through higher education — including career exploration opportunities for students and professional development for educators. Organizers said the new portal is an effort to build a statewide community of organizations involved in science and technology education programs. Read more.

How to limit exposure of your location data

There's no way to fully eliminate the risk that a smartphone is exposing location data, but there are ways to limit what leaks and why. New NSA guidance on the issue is targeted at U.S. national security personnel, but the public document could have a much wider appeal as concerns mount that law enforcement agencies track crowds during protests against police brutality and racial injustice in the U.S. The NSA provides some recommendations on limiting the risks of location data exposure through social media, web browsing and fitness apps. But “even when location settings or all wireless capabilities have been disabled,” cellphones may still transmit data. More from Shannon Vavra.

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