March 20th – 22nd, 2026
DataFest, sponsored by the American Statistical Association (ASA), is an exciting, weekend-long data analysis competition open to students from any major. Over the course of two intense days, teams of up to four work collaboratively to tackle a real-world data challenge and deliver a compelling analysis to judges and peers.
Whether you’re new to data analytics or eager to sharpen your skills, DataFest offers an incredible opportunity to:
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- Showcase your analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Collaborate with like-minded peers
- Enhance your resume with hands-on experience
- Gain valuable insights from academic and industry experts
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This event brings together students, data enthusiasts, and professionals in a dynamic environment designed to inspire innovation and creativity. If you’re ready to push your limits and make an impact, DataFest is the place to be!
The Department of Statistics began hosting ASA DataFest™ at Penn State in 2015.
Who may participate?
ASA DataFest™ at Penn State University welcomes all undergraduate and master’s students from any discipline—both from Penn State and surrounding colleges and universities. Teams are encouraged to bring a diverse mix of skills and perspectives to tackle real-world data challenges.
While doctoral students are not eligible to compete, they are invited to participate as mentors, offering guidance and expertise to student teams throughout the event.
There is no fee to participate, however, registration is required.
Register today!
Awards
Each team must present a short video (~5 minutes or less) summarizing their findings to a panel of judges comprised of faculty and professionals from a variety of fields. Presentations are judged based on creativity, insight, visualization, and communication.
Award Categories for DataFest 2026:
- Best in Show (Judges Nominate, Attendees Vote)
- Best Visualization
- Best Insight
- Best Use of External Data
- Best Use of the Celonis Platform (with $250 prize)
Resources
Looking for tools to sharpen your skills? We have compiled a list of current resources you may find useful: Statistics Related Resources.
