What is DataFest?
Brought to you by the American Statistical Association (ASA) and the Davidson College Department of Data Science, DataFest is a data analysis competition in which teams of students have 48 hours to analyze a large, complex dataset and find the stories hidden within. Hosted at colleges and universities across the country every spring, Davidson’s own DataFest brings together students with mentors from the faculty and local companies, offering not only guidance and fellowship, but also networking and recruitment opportunities!
At the end of the event, each team gets a few minutes to present their findings to a panel of judges, and prizes are given for the best work!
Location
DataFest 2026 will be taking place in the Watson Life Sciences building on Davidson’s campus. Limited parking is available in the Preyer lot, which is directly across the street at 226 Concord Rd, Davidson, NC 28036. Additional public parking is available along Concord Road.
Schedule
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
DataFest is open to all currently-enrolled Davidson students. We want a diverse group representing various majors, class years, and skill levels to participate!
Participation in DataFest is 100% free to Davidson students! Our sponsors and the Data Science department will provide meals, snacks, and drinks for all participants.
Bring your laptop and charger, a water bottle, and any other essentials you might need for a full day of building cool stuff with data!
While DataFest does organize students into teams of three, we do not require you to bring your own team with you. If you show up solo, we will find a team for you! But you can also form your own team prior to DataFest if you like by adding your teammates’ names on the registration form.
Yes! We will be raffling off prizes throughout the weekend, plus teams have the opportunity to win additional prizes under three award categories that will be judged on the final day of the competition: (1) Best Visualization, (2) Best Use of External Data, and (3) Best Insight.
Sponsors
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Interested in sponsoring Davidson DataFest? Contact Pete Benbow to get involved!
Blog
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