The DataJam

The DataJam is a non-profit organization based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded by software scientists and data science academics, the organization's mission is to inspire high school students to pursue careers in big data science. The DataJam runs an academic competition for high school students and afterschool programs focused on teaching the application of big data to answer research questions. Student teams, typically consisting of 5-7 members, work together to formulate research questions, locate publicly available datasets, analyze the data, create visualizations, and present their findings to a judging panel. Through this process, students develop valuable skills in scientific methodology, data analysis, and scientific presentation. The DataJam provides a unique learning experience by pairing student teams with university mentors trained in data science and mentoring practices. The program has expanded to reach high school students nationwide, offering mentorship through videoconference and providing a wealth of resources on their website, TheDataJam.org. For more information about The DataJam, visit their website at thedatajam.org.