Welcome to The DataJam!
Empowering Youth in Data Science Education
At The DataJam, we're passionate about fostering the next generation of data scientists. Our mission is to engage high school students in the exciting world of big data and data fluency, preparing them to thrive in a data-driven society. The DataJam is dedicated to developing new strategies for engaging high school students in the field of big data and data science to encourage them to participate fully in a data-driven world!
Annual DataJam Competition
Join our annual DataJam competition and embark on a journey of discovery! Teams of high school students explore real-world questions using publicly available datasets, guided by college student mentors. Experience the thrill of data analysis and present your findings at our DataJam finale held at the end of April each year. In the last two years we have expanded our use of videoconferencing for holding workshops, mentoring and even for the DataJam finale. Participation from across the United States is increasing rapidly!
Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald viewing posters at the DataJam Finale
Modularized Data Science Curriculum
Access our modular curriculum of hands-on activities designed to make data science engaging and accessible for all. Developed by a team of educators and university professors, these resources are perfect for high school and middle school classrooms.
A Walkthrough of The DataJam Website:
This video will give you a guided tour through the website. It is an easy way to quickly find out what resources we have and where on the website you can locate them.
🚀 Empowering the Next Generation of Data Scientists! 🌟
🌐 WHY DONATE?
Fuel the future of data science in high schools! Your support helps ensure engaging data science education. The DataJam is a nonprofit organization that is run by volunteers and is solely supported by donations.
💥 YOUR IMPACT
Every donation transforms eager minds into the next evolution of data scientists and analysts. Shape a smarter, data-driven world with your contribution.
🚀 HOW TO HELP
Donate Today: Click "Donate" and be a catalyst for change.
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Get Involved: Passionate about data science? Join us and become a Mentor! Email us at datajam@thedatajam.org.
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DataJam News
DataJam at Science Olympiad
Founded in 1984, Science Olympiad is the premier and largest team STEM competition in the nation. Divided between two divisions, Division B ranges from grades 6 to 9, while Division C ranges from grades 9 to 12. Across all 50 states, it tests around 6,000 teams at over 425 competitions across 23 different events from various fields of science. Events differ in style, ranging from written tests, engineering projects, to laboratory experiments.
On January 20, 2024, the University of Pittsburgh hosted a Division B invitational competition which over 200 middle school students attended, and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) hosted a Division C invitational competition which over 300 high school students attended. Two DataJam mentors, Jatin Singh and Daniel Hufnagle, gave presentations about the DataJam-sponsored Middle School Data Science Day at the Pitt event and about the DataJam at the CMU event.
We hope that a number of the more than 500 youth attending will participate in future DataJam events!
DataJam Presentation at Division B Science Olympiad on January 20, 2024. Photo by Bhaskar Chakarbarti
DataJam Presentation at Division C Science Olympiad on January 20, 2024.
Workshop highlights need and opportunity for real-world data science project-based learning
The recent National Workshop on Data Science Education held in Berkeley showcased the importance of project-based learning in data science education. The event featured the DataJam competition, where high school student teams and their college mentors collaborate on research questions relevant to their communities. The article highlights the benefits of project-based programs like DataJam, such as developing practical data science skills, promoting ethical considerations, and creating workforce pipelines. The upcoming launch of the Data Science Experiential Pathways program aims to expand these opportunities and connect various institutions. Read the full article to learn more about the workshop and its implications for data science education!
Sarah Stone, Ashley Atkins, Judy Cameron, Catherine Cramer and Anthony Suen celebrate on June 22 in Berkeley, Calif., the upcoming launch of the Data Science Experiential Pathways program. (Photo/ Ashley Atkins)
North Allegheny High School DataJam Team 1 presented their project “Standardized Testing: A Reflection on Intelligence or Economic Environment?” at Google Pittsburgh on 5/24/23
Congratulations to the North Allegheny High School DataJam Team 1! As part of the First Place prize for the 2023 DataJam, the team was invited to give their DataJam project presentation to Google Pittsburgh on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Check out their presentation and poster below!
Yunge Xiao, an Outstanding DataJam Mentor, wins a national award!
Yunge Xiao was the DataJam Mentor for the DataJam team that won the 2023 DataJam – North Allegheny Team 1, with their project “Standardized Testing: A Reflection on Intelligence or Economic Environment?”. She is also the winner of a prestigious national award, “The Newman Civic Fellowship”, that recognizes standout students who are committed to creating positive change in communities locally and around the world, proving them with a year of learning and networking opportunities that emphasize person, professional and civic growth.
Yunge graduated from the University of Pittsburgh this spring (2023) with a Bacholor’s degree in Statistics. She was born in Singapore but primarily grew up in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. She became very interested in using data for community change in her first year at Pitt when she interned for the Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance (HRCA) and Pittsburghers for Public Transit. She started serving as a DataJam mentor in the Fall of 2022, when she took the DataJam Mentor training course at Pitt, and she mentored the winning team in DataJam 2023: North Allegheny Team 1.
Yunge will begin a master’s degree in epidemiology at Harvard’s School of Public Health this Fall. The Newman Civic Fellowship will provide her with virtual training and networking opportunities to give her the skills and connections to create large-scale positive change for the world. We are so proud of Yunge, an outstanding DataJam Mentor and an outstanding data scientist --- using her training to improve the lives of those around her!
2023 DataJam Finale
The 2023 DataJam Finale as recorded on video conference on March 27th, 2023. Watch here as the students present all their hard work and findings by explicating hypotheses using data analysis!
Winning Teams
The DataJam is the winner of the 2022 Carnegie Science Award for “Best Interdisciplinary Approach to STEM Education”
The DataJam has been proactive in developing resources to encourage DataJam participation to a wide diversity of communities. Currently, both the DataJam and the university course that trains DataJam mentors, are being expanded nationwide using a collaborative blended simultaneous learning environment (BSLE) strategy. The collaborative, interdisciplinary approach will allow mentors to be trained in a variety of locations and receive increased training in how to facilitate high school teams participating in DataJam in under-resourced urban environments, rural environments, in immigrant communities and on Native American reservations. The awards ceremony will be October 13, 2022.
DataJam Goes National
By Ken Chiacchia | Aug 31, 2022
Student data-science competition adds teams outside Pittsburgh region, including from California Native American youth center and New Jersey schools.
DataJam Newsletter
Welcome to The DataJam Download, your monthly guide to all things DataJam! Dive into the world of high school data projects with us, where we keep you in the loop from September through June.
Stay on track with insights into where your team should be in the DataJam project process. We'll guide you through every step of the way, ensuring you're on the right path to success.
Discover fresh resources tailor-made to elevate your DataJam projects. Our constantly updated tools and resources are designed to help teams excel and achieve their goals.
Meet your mentors, our expert DataJam Mentors who are always ready to provide valuable advice and support. Learn from the best in the field and gain insights that will take your project to the next level.
Explore the spotlight on data professionals, where we showcase the world of data gurus collaborating with The DataJam to expand our reach nationwide. Get inspired by their stories and expertise, and see how they contribute to our vibrant community.
Get exclusive sneak peeks of exciting updates on our website, thedatajam.org. Plus, explore featured DataJam resources and learn where to find them online to enhance your project experience.
Stay connected with the latest activities of new teams joining the DataJam community in our Team Spotlight. Celebrate their achievements and milestones with us as we grow together.
Ready to join the DataJam community and receive your personalized newsletter every month? Just drop us an email at datajam@thedatajam.org or fill out the form below to get on our mailing list. We're also all ears for your suggestions! Share your ideas with us via email, and let's make this newsletter even better together.
Get ready to embark on a journey of data exploration with The DataJam Download - because data-driven success starts here!
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