Friday, April 10 - Sunday, April 12 2026, All day UGA Innovation District, 210 Spring Street, Athens, GA, 30602 The Department of Statistics at the University of Georgia (UGA) is excited to announce plans to host the first ASA DataFest 2026, an exhilarating data analysis competition sponsored by the American Statistical Association (ASA). We would like to gauge undergraduate students’ interest in participating in this event. If you are interested, please review the details below and complete the form by Friday, December 12th. Please complete this interest form: https://forms.gle/gNNsinMF9aoq9cDJ7 Join us for UGA’s first-ever ASA DataFest, an exciting weekend-long data analysis competition hosted by the Department of Statistics at the University of Georgia, in collaboration with the American Statistical Association (ASA). Over the course of 48 hours, undergraduate students will work in teams to tackle a large, complex, and real-world dataset provided by a surprise industry partner. Participants will apply their analytical, programming, and storytelling skills to uncover insights and communicate their findings to a panel of judges drawn from academia and industry. The event kicks off on Friday, April 10 at 5:00 PM and concludes on Sunday, April 12 at 3:00 PM with final presentations and awards. Whether you are passionate about data, eager to collaborate, or just curious about what data science can do, UGA ASA DataFest 2026 promises to be a fun, fast-paced, and unforgettable experience! What is ASA DataFest? ASA DataFest began at UCLA in 2011, when 30 students came together for 48 intense hours to analyze five years of arrest records provided by Lt. Thomas Zak of the Los Angeles Police Department. Since then, the event has grown into a national phenomenon sponsored by the American Statistical Association (ASA) and hosted by many of the most prestigious universities across the country. ASA DataFest is a fast-paced, three-day data analysis challenge where teams of undergraduate students collaborate to uncover insights from a large, complex, real-world dataset. The dataset and research questions are revealed at the start of the competition, keeping everyone on their toes. Past DataFests have featured datasets from organizations such as Expedia, Ticketmaster, Kiva, and the City of Los Angeles, giving students the opportunity to work on authentic, high-impact problems. Beyond the competition itself, DataFest is a unique opportunity to connect with potential employers, network with professionals, and engage with the local statistics and data science community. Teams will present their findings to a panel of judges that include UGA faculty, local business leaders, and industry professionals from the insurance and analytics sectors. Throughout the weekend, mentors from UGA and local companies will also be available to offer guidance, feedback, and technical advice. For more information about ASA DataFest, please see https://ww2.amstat.org/education/datafest/index.cfm Student Participant Registration We are excited to announce UGA ASA DataFest 2026, taking place April 10–12, 2026, at the UGA Innovation District, 210 Spring Street, Athens, GA. To participate, please complete the Student Participant Registration Form here: You may register as part of a 3–4-person team (priority will be given to full teams) or as a 2–3-person team. If you don’t yet have a team, you can still register with us. We’ll do our best to match you with other students looking for teammates. Seats are limited to 50 participants, so register early! The registration deadline is Friday, March 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. What You Need to Know Event Schedule: DataFest begins Friday, April 10, at 5:00 PM and concludes Sunday, April 12, at 3:00 PM. Please check the event schedule for specific arrival and presentation times. What to Bring: You’ll need your own laptop(s) and any software tools you plan to use. Data will be provided via USB drives (to be returned at the end of the event). Meals: All meals and snacks will be provided throughout the weekend. Team Requirements: Teams must consist of 3–4 undergraduate students. Each team member must register individually and list the team’s name exactly as it appears to all members. Team names should be professional and appropriate for an academic and workplace setting. Data Access: The dataset will be distributed on USB drives during the opening session on Friday evening. At least one team member must be able to read the data. The dataset may be up to 2 GB, so ensure you have sufficient storage capacity. Team Formation: Larger teams will receive priority if space becomes limited. Once registration closes, substitute team members will not be allowed. Judges and Mentors To be added later Sponsors Department of Statistics at the University of Georgia American Statistical Association Frequently Asked Questions To be added later Schedule Friday, April 10 — Opening Day (5:00–7:30 PM) 5:00 -- Registration & Networking 5:30 -- Welcome & Introduction to ASA DataFest 5:45 -- About the Data 6:00 -- DataFest Workshop 6:30 -- Dinner & Data Reveal Saturday, April 11 — Workday (8:00 AM–7:00 PM) 8:00 -- Breakfast 12:00 -- Lunch 5:00 -- Dinner (Pizza Night!) Sunday, April 12 — Presentations & Awards (8:00 AM–3:00 PM) 8:00 -- Breakfast 12:00 -- Lunch 1:00 -- Presentation Preparation 1:30 -- Team Presentations to Judges 2:30 -- Judges Deliberation 2:45 -- Special Presentation 2:55 -- Awards Ceremony Questions? To be added later
