The Department of Statistics is excited to invite you to the Sandia Data Challenge – a virtual competition that will run from October 31 to November 1! This is your chance to work with real-world data provided by Sandia National Labs and compete for prizes and recognition from Sandia Representatives and Recruiters.

What is it?
The 2024 Sandia Data Challenge is a virtual competition running from October 31 to November 1, where participants will solve real-world problems using data provided by Sandia National Laboratories. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with Sandia scientists and compete for prizes and recognition from Sandia representatives and recruiters.

Why Participate?
Students often express a lack of exposure to real-world challenges during their academic experiences. This challenge addresses that gap, allowing you to engage with complex problems that engineers and scientists at Sandia have tackled, enhancing your career preparation.

Key Details

• Team Registration: The Sandia Data Challenge team registration is now live! Teams of 2-4 participants are encouraged. Register by October 28 to secure your spot. If you don’t have a team, you can still register, and we’ll help pair you with others.
• Data Privacy: Each participant must register separately and agree to a data privacy statement due to the sensitive nature of the data used.

Key Dates to Remember

• Competition Registration Opens: October 7
• Competition Registration Deadline: October 28
• Challenge Dates: October 31 - November 1
• Judging & Winners Announced: November 1

Logistics and Timeline

• October 31: Teams will receive the problem statement and have the entire weekend to develop unique and viable solutions. Presentations should be submitted as 5-7 minute video presentations uploaded to Illinois Box.
• Prizes: The winning team will receive Amazon gift cards for all members and recognition from Sandia researchers and recruiters.

Resources:
A Discord channel will be created for discussions and inquiries, featuring participation from peers and Sandia staff.

Info-Session Presentation Slides - Slides from the info-session held on October 8.

Next Steps

Register for the Sandia Data Challenge today: https://go.illinois.edu/sandia-challenge. Each participant must register individually and agree to the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for the challenge data. Get ready to showcase your skills and solve real-world problems!