Add README, starter notebooks, and .gitignore

Add a comprehensive README that explains how to prepare a Python virtual environment, install packages, and register an ipykernel for running the lab notebooks in VS Code. Include two starter notebooks: TASK0_Datasaurus_Starter.ipynb (datasaurus warm-up with data loading, summary stats, optional SweetViz report, and faceted scatter plotting) and VisInt_Lab_01_Task_0.ipynb (lab header/metadata). Add .gitignore to exclude a local /.venv directory.

README.md

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 # VI_Lab_01_EDA
 
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+pip install ipykernel
+
+***
+
+Below is a clean, ready‑to‑ship **README.md** you can drop directly into your ZIP bundle.  
+It explains **exactly how students should prepare their environment in VS Code**, including:
+
+*   Installing Python
+*   Creating a **virtual environment**
+*   Installing required packages
+*   Setting up the **Jupyter kernel** to use that venv
+*   Opening and running the notebooks in VS Code
+
+It uses **current and correct instructions** based on official VS Code documentation (Python + Jupyter extensions and venv usage)  (installation workflow and environment activation practices align with Python & VS Code official practices, which are stable across versions).
+
+If you want, I can also generate a **requirements.txt**, **environment.yml**, or a **bootstrap script**.
+
+***
+
+# 📘 README — Preparing Your Environment for Jupyter in VS Code
+
+## (Virtual Environment + Kernel Setup)
+
+This guide explains exactly how to prepare your system to run the EDA lab notebooks in **VS Code** using a clean Python **virtual environment**.
+
+The steps work on **Windows, macOS, and Linux**.
+
+***
+
+# 1. Install the Required Tools
+
+### 1.1 Install Python (3.9+ recommended)
+
+Download from the official Python site (*python.org*) or using Microsoft Store.
+
+Make sure to check:
+
+*   **Windows** → Add Python to PATH if installed from official site
+*   **macOS/Linux** → Python is usually included, but upgrade if needed
+
+### 1.2 Install VS Code
+
+Install from the official VS Code site.
+
+### 1.3 Install VS Code Extensions
+
+Open VS Code → **Extensions Panel** → install:
+
+*   **Python**
+*   **Jupyter**
+
+These two extensions enable:
+
+*   Notebook execution
+*   Kernel selection
+*   Virtual environment detection
+*   Interactive cells
+
+***
+
+# 2. Create a Virtual Environment
+
+Choose a folder where you will store your lab materials.  
+Open a terminal *inside that folder*:
+
+### **Windows (PowerShell)**
+
+```powershell
+python -m venv venv
+.\venv\Scripts\activate
+```
+
+### **macOS / Linux**
+
+```bash
+python3 -m venv venv
+source venv/bin/activate
+```
+
+You should now see `(venv)` at the start of your terminal prompt.
+
+***
+
+# 3. Install Required Python Packages
+
+Inside the active virtual environment, run:
+
+```bash
+pip install numpy pandas matplotlib sweetviz dtale jupyter
+```
+
+If you are using the Task 0 datasets, also install:
+
+```bash
+pip install seaborn
+```
+
+> 💡 **Tip:**  
+> If you have a `requirements.txt` in the bundle, run:
+>
+> ```bash
+> pip install -r requirements.txt
+> ```
+
+***
+
+# 4. Register the Virtual Environment as a Jupyter Kernel
+
+VS Code can automatically detect your venv, but we ensure explicit registration:
+
+```bash
+python -m ipykernel install --user --name eda-env --display-name "EDA Lab Environment"
+```
+
+You will now see **EDA Lab Environment** as a selectable kernel inside VS Code notebooks.
+
+***
+
+# 5. ✅ Open the Lab in VS Code
+
+1.  Launch **VS Code**
+2.  Use **File → Open Folder** and choose the folder containing the lab files
+3.  Open any `.ipynb` file (e.g., `EDA_Lab_Starter.ipynb`)
+4.  At the top‑right corner of the notebook, click the **kernel selector**
+5.  Choose:  
+    **EDA Lab Environment (Python venv)**
+
+This ensures the notebook runs using the correct interpreter.
+
+***
+
+# 6. 🔍 (Optional) Verify Your Setup
+
+In a notebook cell, run:
+
+```python
+import sys
+sys.executable
+```
+
+It should show the Python path inside your `venv`, e.g.:
+
+*   Windows: `…/venv/Scripts/python.exe`
+*   macOS/Linux: `…/venv/bin/python`
+
+Then check that the packages are available:
+
+```python
+import pandas, sweetviz, dtale
+print("Environment OK")
+```
+