2016 Drexel Datathon

The Datathon is a high energy, 12-hour event that brings together teams of students to turn data into actionable information.

Students will work in teams of 3-5 students. Teams must be made up of both MS Business Analytics cohorts and/or 2nd year MS Economic students. Student teams work on analytics projects using open-source datasets. The datasets will be provided at the Datathon. For the duration of the event, students have the opportunity to meticulously turn the business problem into a series of statistical questions, design a technical approach, and use data analysis and data technology skills to create solutions that solve the statistical problem at hand. Ultimately, teams turn their quantitative solutions to actionable, qualitative insights.

At the conclusion of the Datathon, teams present their projects to a panel of judges. The presentations are 5 minutes but should briefly outline the data-driven insights for their business problem, the scope of analysis, technical challenges, overall solutions, implementation plan, and expected impact on the bottom line.

Schedule: 9am - 12pm: Datasets will be shared and teams will start working 12pm-1pm: Lunch break plus a presentation by Michael Baselice: President and CEO, Baselice & Associates, Inc. Michael Baselice has extensive experience in political campaigns and issue/referendum projects throughout the United States and abroad. His firm has conducted thousands of survey projects, half of which are corporate and public affairs related. A Drexel University graduate, Baselice conducts research on numerous issues, including tort reform, medical liability caps on non-economic damages, judicial selection, and school finance reform. He also assists organizations with specific legislative, issue and image research. Prior to starting Baselice & Associates, Inc. in 1997, Baselice coordinated more than 350 survey projects for The Tarrance Group and was a research analyst for the National Republican Congressional Committee, conducting opposition research and targeting projects for key congressional campaigns. 1pm-6pm: Continue Datathon 6pm-730pm: Presentation Prep and Dinner 745pm-9pm: Presentations and winners announced

Prior to the event there will be two Datathon Prep Workshops. This workshop is a review of the basic analytics process, and analytical concepts, using a live business problem. Students must attend one of these workshops to participate in the Datathon. Session 1: Thursday, November 3- 3-5pm Session 2: Thursday, November 10- 3-5pm Please register for these events on LeBow’s Events page.

Additional Datathon Details: Students use their own laptops. Meals and refreshments will be provided. You must register by Friday, November 11, 2016