Hashtag: #ASADataFest25
ASA DataFest in a Box
More information about and advice for hosting your own ASA DataFest is forthcoming.
Getting Started
- If it's the first time, plan small.
- Identify a group of 20-40 students.
- See the sample Info for Students.
- Choose a weekend and find a location.
Terms
- Inform the ASA of your institution’s intent to host a local ASA DataFest event by registering here no later than February 7, 2025.
- Use the provided data set.
- Host the ASA DataFest during the time period that begins with the third weekend in March and ends with the first weekend in May.
- Recruit a panel of two or more judges to evaluate student work. Student presentations must be no more than 10 minutes.
- Keep the data source secret before the event and "quiet" until after the last ASA DataFest event. This means press releases must be delayed or not include mention of the data topic.
- Inform students, volunteers, judges, and other observers of the event Code of Conduct. Provide contact information for Donna LaLonde for questions or concerns.
- After the event, share names and emails of winners, along with their presentations, to the ASA at datafest@amstat.org so we can publicize their victories!
Funding
- You will need to raise money for food, janitorial services, and prizes. See the sample Funding Request.
- ASA Student Membership will be awarded to winning teams at each ASA DataFest event.
- One inexpensive prize that works well is to order medallions from a local trophy store. These cost about $5 each and look nice.
Recruiting
- You should start recruiting judges and visitors from local industry and ASA chapters.
- See the samples Guidelines for Judges and Visitors and Welcome Note to Judges.
- Ask judges and visitors to spend 1-2 hours during the weekend to talk to students and learn what they're doing. Along the way, they can offer advice and strategies.
General Framework
- The competition should be roughly 48 hours long.
- See the sample Participant Information.
- Students compete in teams of 2-5 people.
- See the sample Guidelines for Students.
- Teams present to judges; presentations are short (two slides, not counting the title slide, and no more than 10 minutes).
- See the sample Judging Rubric.
- Prizes are awarded in three categories: Best in Show, Best Visualization, and Best Use of External Data.
- See the sample Certificates.