The amazing amounts of data available on the web urges science journalists and communicators, at any level, to focus more precisely than ever before on facts and figures. Data published in open source journals, archives and open databases provide great sources for a sound and rigorous approach to science communication. However, this approach requires proper training on the use of diverse web tools. SISSA, the International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste with a long tradition for outstanding scientific research in the fields of Physics, Maths and Neurosciences, has been hosting a very successful Master in science communication for almost 20 years beside editing the online peer-review Journal of Science Communication - JCom. Recently, SISSA has been adding a new Master in scientific digital journalism (MGSD) to its educational offer. MGSD aims at preparing science journalists to face challenges posed by the contemporary and near-future editorial environment. First example of its kind in Italy and innovative even at the European level, this Master hosts a full course on data-driven journalism to prepare the first generation of data science journalists to enter the italian market. Far from being an isolated academic experience, the Master holds strong connections with other players active in promoting a data culture: the <Ahref foundation, which designs open platforms fostering factchecking and collaborative civic information projects; datajournalism.it, a community of more than 150 data journalists, developers and designers. The best data projects produced by MGSD students are proposed for publication in professional science and tech magazine
