Data Challenge

Tell a story with data 

The Data Challenge will bring together three competitive events, the Open Data Visualization (6^th annual), Data Analytics (2^nd Edition), and Data Sprint (2^nd Edition) on November 19, 2021 in a hybrid format - virtually & in-person! Take up the challenge and demonstrate the power of data, with the flexibility to take part remotely.

Event Brochure     Infographics     Teaser Posters

In every challenge, there's opportunity

Participants and teams will have the chance to showcase their ability to tell a story driven by data in three unique competitive formats. Teams can participate in all three competitive events. It is an ideal setting for citizens to get engaged, to meet leaders in academia, government, and private organizations, and to explore the world of data science.  

 Register now

 

Data Visualization Competition (6^th annual)

Teams will assess and analyze data related to one of the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and present to an audience to communicate a recommendation, story, or new idea. This allows for better decision-making and more varied solutions to problems that span a wide range of social, environmental, and economic topics. 

Presentation round

Each team will be required to present their data story to a panel of judges through data visualizations (charts, graphs, etc.) using any software (PowerPoint, Tableau, Keynote, etc). Participants will need to share their screen on Microsoft Teams and present to a panel of judges. 

• The presentations are limited to four minutes, followed by a ten-minute Q&A period.
• Eliminations before lunch.
• 6 finalists will present after lunch.
• Prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
• Submission deadline: All teams must submit their completed presentations via ibec@unb.ca on Nov 18, 2021.

Infographic round

Your infographic posters will be showcased at the event venue. You will neither be presenting your infographic posters or required to be showcase them. 

• Portrait format: JPEG or PDF file format, medium or high resolution (min 300 DPI). 
• Submission deadline: Nov 7, 2021. 
• Prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place + viewer's choice. 

Data sets (open)

• You may use any open data sets available to the public that relate to at least 1 of the 17 Goals in the 2030 Agenda.

Team composition

• Teams can have one to four participants.
• Open to students and non-students.
• Check pre-requisites section.

Data Visualization Guidelines

Register now (complete by 11:59 pm Nov 1, 2021)

 

Data Analytics Competition (2^nd annual)

Teams will get to put their analytical skills to the test and present their insights to an audience. Teams must choose one of the five data sets provided (available now). What insights are you able to discover? How well can you separate the useful information from the "noise"? What outcomes are you able to predict? What are your recommendations?    

Presentation round

Each team is required to present their data insights to a panel of judges explaining how they arrived at those insights through a data analytics platform of choice. Teams must be able to convey their complex analysis as simply as possible, and tell a story.  

You will need to present your analysis to a panel of judges within 10 mins followed by a 10 min Q&A period. During your presentation you must show all the steps, tests, justifications, and decisions you took to arrive at your insight/prediction. Will the problem be clearly articulated? Will the null hypothesis testing be stated properly? Do you have a clear rationale for the choice of a statistical method and have your checked for normality or variance? Is there any consideration of privacy and ethical issues? Are the charts used appropriately?

You must be able to explain to a lay person these steps in a clear and concise manner. You may use any method for displaying your analysis, for example Jupyter Notebook, PowerPoint, or in SPSS or  STATA directly so long as you are able to display this through Microsoft Teams.

• The presentations are limited to ten minutes, followed by a ten-minute Q&A period. 
• Eliminations before lunch. 

• 6 finalists will present after lunch. 
• Prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. 
• Submission deadline: All teams must showcase their completed presentations via ibec@unb.ca on Nov 19, 2021. 

Teaser poster round

Using only 3 sentences, how much curiosity can you generate for your presentation? The teaser-posters will be shared with the judges before the competition. You will neither be presenting your teaser-posters or required to showcase them. 

• Word document: 3 sentences that capture your analysis and generate interest. 
• Submission deadline: Nov 7, 2021. 
• Prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place + viewer's choice. 

Data sets (fixed)

• Data sets will be provided upon registration. 
• Teams must select one data set to work on. 
• You can supplement your analysis with another data set provided it is an open data set. 

Team composition

• Teams can have one to four participants.
• Open to students and non-students.
• Check pre-requisites section.

Data Analytics Guidelines

Register now (complete by 11:59 pm Nov 1, 2021)

 

Data Sprint Competition (2^nd annual)

This fun hackathon-style competition will put your data skills to the test in a time-tied scenario. There is little preparation required as the data set will provided on Nov 18, 2021, one day ahead of the event date.  Can you tackle a data set with speed, accuracy, and creativity? Choose your teams wisely! 

Presentation round

One data set will be released to all registered teams a day in advance. All teams will get one chance to present their findings to a panel of data experts, so speed, accuracy, and creativity all count!

Similar to the analytics track, you must be able to explain to a lay person these steps in a clear and concise manner. You may use any method for displaying your analysis, for example Jupyter Notebook, PowerPoint, or in SPSS or STATA directly so long as you are able to display this on your laptop or Microsoft Teams (if you are a remote participant).

How quick can a complex data set be analyzed and presented in a meaningful way. 

• The presentations are limited to four minutes, followed by a  ten-minute question and answer period. 
• Data set is released at 9 a.m. on Nov. 18, 2021. 
• Teams get one day to work on the data set. 

• Prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

Data sets (fixed, single)

• One data set will be provided on Nov 18, 2021. 

• Teams will have one day to work on it and showcase their results.

Team composition

• Teams can have one to four participants. 
• Open to students and non-students. 
• Check pre-requisites section. 

Data Sprint Guidelines

Register now (complete by 11:59 pm Nov 1, 2021)

 

Thank you to all our 2021 Data Challenge Sponsors & Partners

Receive promotional opportunities and benefits with by becoming a sponsor. Checkout our sponsorship package and get in touch with ibec@unb.ca for more information.