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IDEAS Academy Challenge: Home

About IDEAS Academy

IDEAS Academy at HCC's West Houston Institute offers a program that integrate Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship with the Arts and Sciences. The curriculum is about teaching the interdisciplinary mindsets and skillsets that will lead to success in the 21st century. It offers opportunities for students to engage in real-world, experiential learning that promotes creativity and innovation in all fields of study across the institution.

Jordan Carswell, Program Director
jordan.carswell@hccs.edu
( 713) 718-5769

Public Services Librarian

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Alexandra Almestica
Contact:
Alief Hayes Library, Office 200.8
2811 Hayes Road
Houston, TX 77082
(713) 718-2142
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2020 Census Design Challenge - Research Questions

1. What is the Decennial Census and why is it important? 

Background research needs to be conducted to understand more about the decennial census. This research can be conducted largely through expert interviews and secondary sources.

  • -What is the decennial census?
  • -Why is the decennial census important?
  • -Who participates in the decennial census?
  • -When does decennial census start and end?
  • -How is the decennial census conducted?
  • -What data is collected for the decennial census?
  • -How is the data from the decennial census used?
    • Impact Texas
    • Impact Houston
    • Impact Communities

2. What Houston neighborhoods were undercounted in the 2010 Census and what is known about these communities and their residents? 

The next area of research concerns understanding which neighborhoods have historically been undercounted in the decennial census. Existing research should be identified and obtained for study.

  • -What is the threshold for deciding a neighborhood is “undercounted”?
  • -What sources of existing data can be used to identify undercounted neighborhoods?
  • -What other useful information can be discovered about these neighborhoods?
    • Demographics
    • Economic Data
    • Community

3.What do residents in these neighborhoods already know about the 2020 Census? 

We need to understand what residents in undercounted neighborhood already know about the census, what opinions they have about it, and the sources for their information. This can be gathered through online and in-person surveys to residents as well as through any existing research.

  • What is the decennial census?
  • Why is the decennial census important?
  • How is the decennial census conducted?
  • Do you know about the 2020 Census?
  • Do you know that anyone 15 years or older can complete the census?
  • Do you know that the census can be completed online?
  • Do you know that census information is legally protected?
  • Where do you get your information about the census?

4.How do residents in undercounted neighborhoods get their news and information, how do they communicate, and what individuals and organizations influence their opinions? 

Finally, to create an effective campaign, we need to know how these residents prefer to communicate and their sources for information. We also ideally should know who has the most influence in shaping the thinking and opinions of residents. Both kinds of information can be again gathered through online and in-person surveys as well as existing research that may be available.

  • What are your preferred sources for news and information?
  • What formats do you prefer to receive this information?
  • What organizations influence your opinions about news and events?
  • What individuals influence your opinions about news and events?
  • What sources of existing data can be used to identify undercounted neighborhoods?
  • What other useful information can be discovered about these neighborhoods?

 

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