Purpose: This paper aims to explore what design aspects can support data visualization literacy within science museums. Design/methodology/approach: The qualitative study thematically analyzes video data of 11 visitor groups as they engage with reading and writing of data visualization through a science museum exhibition that features real-time and uncurated data. Findings: Findings present how the design aspects of the exhibit led to identifying single data records, data patterns, mismeasurements and distribution rate. Research limitations/implications: The findings preface how to study data visualization literacy learning in short museum interactions. Practical implications Practically, the findings point toward design implications for facilitating data visualization literacy in museum exhibits. Originality/value: The originality of the study lays in the way the exhibit supports engagement with data visualization literacy with uncurated data records.