DataFest 2026

Mark your calendars! The University of Puget Sound will be hosting DataFest during the weekend of March 27-29, 2026! It is open to teams of 2-5 students. It is a team based, friendly competition that takes place over a weekend of hanging out with friends, and analyzing a secret dataset to win prizes and do Data For Good!

What is DataFest?

DataFest is a yearly event put on by the American Statistical Association. They curate a secret dataset from a real company that is revealed at the start of the weekend, alongside a goal. Students then work in teams to compete (in a friendly way!) to find answers to the posed questions. Past years’ datasets are listed here: https://ww2.amstat.org/education/datafest/previous.cfm

DataFest is a yearly, nationwide event organized by the American Statistical Association. All students are eligible to join!

Why should I join DataFest?

  • Get hands-on with real life data for an experience you can talk about in interviews!

  • Make connections with industry professionals and alumni!

  • Win a year-long student membership to the American Statistical Association, including career resources for students interested in data!

    • Additional prizes and/or participation swag TBD

  • Hang out with friends and solve a data puzzle!

When will different things happen?

The full schedule is still TBA, but you can expect the following (times are approximate):

  • Friday evening (5-6pm): Dataset reveal and kickoff

  • Saturday (9:30-11:30, 1:30-3:30 and 4-6): Three mentoring sessions with industry and/or alumni volunteers who will help you ask questions, plan your analysis, and give tips and tricks! You can spend 2 sessions to the full day in the event space.

  • Sunday (1-3pm): Judging

You are not limited to only doing your data analyses at this time—between the dataset reveal and judging, your team could choose to spend the whole weekend!

We only ask that if you sign up to participate, that you commit to attending the dataset reveal, attending two mentorship sessions, and attend the presentations and judging (not all students in a group have to present verbally, but everyone should celebrate award winners!)

Food and drink will also be provided at regular intervals throughout the competition.

Do I have to be a computer whiz?

Any undergraduate student with an interest in data can join – not every team member on every team needs to be the “computers person!” You also need people who:

  • Have strong visual skills

  • Are strong at interpreting data

  • Are creative and imaginative

The only requirement to join is that you think this sounds neat – that is it! However, you should have at least one person on your team who knows some data-related programming or analysis tool.

What data analysis tools should my team use?

You will have access to a large dataset, but what tools people use vary! You might choose to use Python, R, Excel, SAS, STATA, Power BI, or many other tools! Use whatever tools your team is most familiar with—there will be technology experts around to help who may or may not have experience with those specific tools, but can help you with planning and designing your analyses.

Once you select a data analysis tool, make sure to install it on your computer and play around with it with it ahead of the competition!

We do have a limited number of desktop computers available in the event space, as well. If your team does not have access to a reliable computer, reach out to mmasden@pugetsound.edu to coordinate what software you will need.

How do I sign up?

Datafest is a team-based competition for teams of size 2-5. Once you have assembled your team, every member should complete a sign-up (so that every member gets the information!)

If you just want email reminders about deadlines, join the mailing list here:

Don’t have a team – no problem! The sign up link includes the option to request being added to a team. You can always edit your response until mid-February, when teams are finalized.

I want to volunteer – how do I get involved?

We are looking for volunteers! We especially welcome people who work with data to serve as mentors during the dataset reveal or one of the three mentorship sessions on Saturday, and/or judges during the afternoon on Sunday. Please fill out this form, or email Marissa Masden (mmasden@pugetsound.edu) and visit this page for more information about volunteering.

My organization wants to advertise an internship opportunity, graduate program, or provide swag!

Reach out to mmasden@pugetsound.edu to discuss what sponsorship can look like for your organization!