The Art of R: Turning Data into Stories

As part of Vidnyan Dhara 2026, A mega science series to celebrate National Science Day a session titled “The Art of R: Turning Data into Stories” was conducted by Asst. Prof. Christina Barretto from the Department of Computer Engineering, Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda – Goa. The session was conducted on the 11^th and 12^th of February 2026 at Shishu Vikas High School, Aquem, Margao and Crescent High School, Fatorda, Margao respectively. The aim of the session was to introduce students to the R programming language and demonstrate how data can be analysed and visualized effectively.

The session began with an introduction to R, a free and open-source programming language developed for statistical computing and data analysis. Students were introduced to the basic concepts of R, including mathematical computations, variables, and functions. The session also explained the use of RStudio, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that makes working with R easier through features such as the console, environment, and plotting tools.

A key focus of the session was data visualization. Through simple examples such as pie charts and graphs, students learned how R can transform raw data into meaningful visual insights. Practical examples included analysing a student’s daily routine using a pie chart and comparing student performance using graphical representations.

Prof. Christina also highlighted the growing demand for data science professionals, emphasizing career opportunities in areas such as data science, artificial intelligence, and software development.

The session successfully demonstrated how programming and data visualization can help convert numbers into meaningful stories, helping people understand data more effectively and make better decisions.