DataFest
DataFest is a weekend-long Data Hackathon sanctioned by the American Statistical Association. Undergraduate students work in teams of 4-5 to find and share meaning in a large, rich, and complex data set. This event takes place during the spring semester of each academic year.
DataFest'26 has concluded!
The Center for Analytics and Data Science is happy to announce a close to this DataFest season. DataFest’26 was made possible by our sponsors.
Overall there were 40 participants from four different schools who competed this year. We would like to thank students for attending from the following schools:
- Miami University
- BGSU
- Capital University
- College of Wooster
Thank you for our sponsors and Corporate Partners for making DataFest possible:

DataFest '26 Winners
Teams were ranked using a score based system
Best Use of External Data or Judges' Choice: Body is T-Test
Best Visual: Data Dolphins
DataFest 2025 Winners
Best Insight: Data Dolphins
Best Use of External Data or Judges' Choice: The Kronecker Deltas
Best Visual: BANA Bearcats
Thank you to the following sponsors for making DataFest 2025 possible

DataFest 2024 Winners
Best Insight: Drake's DataFesters
Thank you to the following sponsors for making DataFest 2024 possible

DataFest 2023 Winners

Thank you to the following sponsors for making DataFest 2023 possible

You must be an undergraduate student at Miami or an officially participating school with less than 9-hours of completed graduate credits.
It's free! This includes food, fun, friends, a t-shirt, and other gifts. All we require is a serious commitment to participate in the event.
Team are comprised of 3-5 undergraduate students.
Yes, you have to compete in a team. You can register as an individual and CADS will help you create a team.
Let us know when you sign up and we'll put you in touch with other potential teammates.
Cash prizes, fame, glory... and a t-shirt!
All you need is a laptop or computer with tools for data analysis and an enthusiasm for data. There is no limitation on which software you use.
Yes. Beginning with dinner Friday night, meals will be provided through lunch on Sunday.
The rules are very simple:
- Your team must consist of 3-5 undergraduate students.
- Team members can come and go as they please but all work has to be done on-site. A steady supply of food, beverage, and snacks make it more inviting to stay.
- It's a competition, but a friendly one, so collaboration between teams is not only allowed but highly encouraged. Official DataFest consultants (Graduate students, faculty and industry experts) will also be around throughout the weekend to help with any questions you might have.
No. You may come and go as you please. However, you are only allowed to work on the project while you're on DataFest grounds. Also, everyone is expected to attend the opening ceremony on Friday and the awards ceremony on Sunday.
No, you can use any software in which you have access.
Yes, you are free to do so but at your own peril. You will be given Wi-Fi and Internet access but we cannot guarantee ideal Internet connectivity for constant streaming of software. We recommend that you primarily use software which has been installed on your personal laptop.
Registration for DataFest will open mid to late February.
On Sunday afternoon, teams will present their findings. Each presentation will be 5 minutes or less, using either two slides or one interactive/animated slide.
Yes! Check out these previous DataFest events from around the country:
- Duke University (Host), NCSU, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Greensboro, North Carolina A&T State, University of Michigan
- Purdue University
- Five Colleges at the University of Massachusetts (host) with Smith College, Hampshire College, Amherst College and Mt. Holyoke College
- Penn State University
- Emory University
- UCLA (Host) with the University of California, Riverside; University of Southern California; Pomona College; and Cal Poly Pomona
A block of rooms has been reserved for our visiting teams at the Marcum Hotel and Conference Center.
These rooms will be released to the general public on March 10th and are available on a first come, first served basis.