A breakfast feast while planning DataFests
Have you attended or hosted a DataFest? Or maybe you're wondering what on Earth it is! Well, if you've not heard, a DataFest is an exciting and immersive event that allows students to get hands-on experience in real data. Usually involving a large dataset with a fixed time, students compete in teams to answer questions of interest. It's an opportunity to learn and try new things - to get creative. This can also be a great resume booster for new grads looking for a first job. Participation in these events shows interest, motivation, and teamwork, not to mention it gives some great results to talk about in the interview.
This round table discussion is looking for people who have planned, want to plan, or just want to learn more about the workings of DataFests. The focus will be on health sciences data with experienced participants sharing lessons learned and Dr. Lapidus sharing her ideas for hosting an event based on a wearable device dataset.
This sounds like something you'd like to be involved with? Great! Please sign up this week to make sure the event stays on the agenda. Round tables run the terrible risk of getting canceled in early July if there aren't enough early registrants. Don't wait until you arrive, grab your seat now.
What: DataFests for reinforcing concepts, challenging students and creating community in the health sciences
When: Wednesday, August 1, 2018 : 7:00 AM to 8:15 AM
Where: JSM 2018, Vancouver; CC-West Ballroom D
Fee: $25
Discussion Lead: Dr. Jodi Lapidus, from Oregon Health & Science University
Abstract:
DataFests are data analysis immersion experiences in which teams investigate large, usually messy, data sets to shed new insights on a problem posed by organizers. DataFests are growing in popularity, and have been hosted by a number of local, regional and national organizations, including ASA. There are a number of online blogs with advice about how to organize data fests, many focusing on e-tools to facilitate the process.
In this roundtable, we will share ideas and experiences for hosting a DataFest for health sciences undergraduate and graduate students. We will discuss tapping into accessible sources of data, determining which statistical concepts to emphasize (if any), approval processes, and any other important organizational details. Discussants with experience hosting these types of events are encouraged to share lessons learned, and those considering similar events can share their plans. The organizer will share ideas for hosting an event based on a wearable device dataset. A DataFest involving students from multiple institutions would be a welcome outcome of this discussion.