There are multiple routes through which students may incorporate data science in their undergraduate program. Data science provides a potential entree to STEM for a diversity of students. Ecological data are readily understandable to many students due their personal experiences and direct connection to macro-scale systems as opposed to the cell/molecular level. The use of such data in an array of undergraduate experiences, formal classroom as well as field and lab, may serve the dual role of enhancing skill and conceptual development in quantitative approaches and exposing a broad array of undergraduates to interesting challenges in ecological science. Education research provides strong evidence for the benefits of hands-on, active learning methods to enhance conceptual and skill development. This session will foster open discussion on the potential benefits at institutions with different approaches to data science education of encouraging educators to utilize ecological data across the diversity of data science education initiatives, not just those directed at life science students. The session is in part motivated by a recent National Academies report on data science education, which will be summarized. The organizers will initiate conversations by noting their experience in quantitative education for life science students, use of ecological data to motivate statistical and visualization learning for undergraduates, and the continuing growth in readily-available data to assist quantitative education. Following these introductory remarks, breakout sessions will occur on particular topics, derived from requests from participants, with brief report-backs to the full session.