3rd Annual High School Analytics & Data Visualization Competition Spring 2024

Whether we realize it or not, data is everywhere and valuable information is gleaned through interpretation and analysis of that data. Organizations in every industry have begun to recognize the value of data in their decision-making and so are seeking out those who have skills in data analytics. More specifically, however, being able to create visual presentation of data in an invaluable skill set that is attractive to a variety of employers. This competition helps students gain a better understanding of data analytics and visualization through the Tableau software platform. More than that, students will develop their critical thinking, collaboration, public speaking, and presentation skills while also offering a great enhancement to their resumes!

Any student enrolled in high school is eligible to be part of the team! Since there is no required level of math or statistics required to participate, 9th graders to 12th graders alike are welcome! 

Teams are expected to have 3-5 members. Any high school is certainly welcome to register more than one team - in fact we welcome it! Just be sure to register each team.

Teachers/Team Leaders are vital to the success of their teams. While the work product must be the students' own, the team leaders provide invaluable expertise, guidance, and coaching as well as feedback to their students. We will also send all communication from Saint Joseph's to the team leader who will disseminate to the participants. The team leader may provide assistance in scheduling virtual meetings with the SJU student mentor if necessary as well as arrange the logistics of team travel to campus on March 16.

For educators based in Pennsylvania, we have also partnered with the Saint Joseph's University Department of Education to be able to offer ACT 48 education credits for a portion of the time spent on campus on March 16. 

The competition will officially begin on January 30, 2023 and run through March 16, 2023. On or around January 30, the faculty team leaders will receive the data set, judging rubric, Tableau product keys, as well as the team's SJU team mentor matches and their contact information. They will also receive a list of on-demand visualization tutorials that teams can utilize in addition to a schedule of synchronous sessions students can attend with SJU subject matter experts for learning and feedback opportunities.

There is no minimum or maximum time requirement to participate and the time needed to adequately prepare will vary by team. However, teams may find it helpful to spend at least an hour or two a week (on average) in planning, preparing, analyzing, collaborating for the on-campus presentation of their work. It is not expected that teams already be familiar with the Tableau visualization software, so some time will be needed familiarizing themselves with the tool as well. Each team will be paired up with an SJU student mentor who will be available via email and/or video conferencing at mutually agreeable times, as well.

Each team will be provided with the following:

• An SJU Student Mentor
• Tableau software product keys
• Access to "Makeover Monday" webinar sessions at SJU where students can seek out assistance, feedback, and troubleshooting with Tableau
• A breakout room where they can work independently for Round 2
• Breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages 
• Prizes will be awarded to winning teams 
• "Swag" including t-shirts and other gifts

This competition is focused on data analysis and a modest understanding of basic descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, range). If students already have a working knowledge of more advanced statistical tools, they are certainly welcome to use them to enhance their analytical capability. However, this is neither expected nor required. Students may, however, find it helpful to be familiar with tools such as Microsoft Excel. 

Bear in mind that students who have taken more advanced courses may not necessarily perform better than others in the competition. The judges will be impressed by teams who are innovative and creative in their approach to the analysis, create engaging and clear visualizations, and are able to communicate their outcomes in an understandable manner.

Yes! The on-campus portion of the competition is scheduled for March 16, 2023 from 9 am - 5 pm in Mandeville Hall, home of the Erivan K. Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph's University. Mandeville Hall is located at the corner of City Avenue and 54th Street in Philadelphia.

On this final day of the competition, the teams will present their work to the judges. Teams will also be presented with a new data set on-site and provided with a private workspace so that they can prepare an analysis and visual presentation to the judges. A more detailed agenda for the day will follow.

Please note: we are also working on some Saturday opportunities for teams to visit campus in the weeks leading up to the final competition date. During these workshops, teams will be able to work closely with SJU students who are well versed in Tableau, data visualization, and analytics techniques as they prepare for their final presentations.

Of course! We are still working on confirming the slate of prizes for 2023 and more information will be available soon. In 2022 the first place team won $2000. Second and Third place teams won $1000 and $750 respectively.

Judges will consist of industry leaders and Saint Joseph's University faculty.

SJU will not charge high school teams to participate in this competition. Tableau software product codes will also be distributed to participating students at no cost. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will also be provided to teams on March 16. Teams will, however, be responsible to their own transportation to and from the Saint Joseph's campus on competition day. Parking will be provided.

Advisors for student teams must be employed as faculty or staff at the school that is hosting the team.  We work hard to ensure that all students have the same foundational content available to them.  This restriction ensures school support and also limits any advantage or disadvantage that may exist if a highly skilled or highly unskilled parent/guardian were to advise. 

Any high school or college student may request a free (semester long) license from Tableau at this link:

https://www.tableau.com/academic/students

You may request a new license every semester that you are a student.