David Corliss is lead, Industrial Business Analytics, and manager, Data Science Center of Excellence, Stellantis. He serves on the steering committee for the Conference on Statistical Practice and is the founder of Peace-Work.

I was taught how to be a scientist by a dance instructor. Now, Barbara Selinger is an excellent science instructor, but I think she might be as well known for her contributions to science as I am for my contributions to dance. Yet, she distinguished herself as a math and science teacher before embarking on a stellar career in the arts. This was the person who taught me the methodology and discipline of science, embodying and communicating that all persons need to understand how science works. Everything I have done as a scientist is in part a direct consequence of Maestra Selinger’s commitment to science for everyone.

This same commitment to science understanding for the general public inspires and guides many initiatives by the American Statistical Association, including Count on Stats, a public outreach program that “aims to enhance awareness of the importance, reliability, and trustworthiness of government statistics.” As data-driven policymaking has grown and developed over time, the federal data system has become more widespread in its impact and more complex.

Launched in January of 2018—the same month this column made its debut in Amstat News—Count on Stats provides essential information about federal data. It serves as a trusted, independent voice serving the needs of government agencies, industry, and the general public.

Count on Stats makes many resources available. Information and links are provided for all 13 independent federal statistical agencies, including examples of the data they offer and the primary users of the data. The site also provides links to materials from the statistical agencies—a tremendously valuable resource for understanding the data needed to support applications in data for social good. The webpage is a hub for information needed for research, grant proposals, policy development, and legislative advocacy using federal data.

As an independent source of information, the website posts news articles from a wide variety of reliable sources. A particular concern for this part of Count on Stats work is posting articles focusing on the reliability of government data and statistical practices. Signing up for the email newsletter will keep you up to date on the latest news.

Count on Stats also keeps a high profile on social media, making it easy to stay in the know. You can get the latest updates by following them on Twitter at @CountOnStats and LinkedIn.

One of my favorite Count on Stats resources is its monthly quiz on federal data sources. Each one has questions to help people get to know important data sources, with links to all the details included with the answer to each question. The quizzes from previous months are archived on the website, so reading through them makes an excellent primer on what each federal statistical agency does. Most people will be surprised by the wide variety of data available, making Count on Stats helpful in determining which data sources will provide the best support for a particular D4G project.

Count on Stats has been shepherded by the ASA science policy and advocacy team, with Science Policy Director Steve Pierson playing a major role. Count on Stats also partners with a number of organizations with an interest in the quality and reliability of federal data and furthering its service to the public. These partners, listed on the Count on Stats website, include government groups like the Data Coalition, professional groups such as the American Mathematical Society, and advocacy organizations like COSSA. Together, their shared mission to serve the greater good through good data and statistical practices make them great partners for your work of serving the greater good with data and statistics.

Almost all of us can think of an inspirational teacher in our past who supported and guided our interest in learning math and science. In our own work of using statistical science for the greater good, we can pay it forward by being the inspiration for new generations. Each of us has our own hero, and we need to remember that each of us is someone else’s hero. Supporting the work of Count on Stats and others is one way to honor the generous gifts of knowledge and inspiration all of us have received. Be the inspiration for someone tomorrow that they were for you yesterday.