ASA DataFest is a national data analysis competition, and we are proud to host a local ASA DataFest event at Cal Poly each April. During this 48-hour data marathon, teams of two to five students tackle a real-world dataset, develop analytical insights, and present their findings to a panel of expert judges.

Since our first in-person DataFest in April 2024, the event has grown rapidly from 39 students in 2024, to over 80 in 2025, and we are expecting 120 students in 2026. As interest continues to rise, we need your support to sustain and expand the event in the years ahead, ensuring more students have the opportunity to build hands-on data skills, connect with industry professionals, and work on real-world problems in a high-energy, collaborative environment.

Your contributions will directly fund:

• Meals & Snacks – Keeping students fueled and focused throughout the weekend.
• Event Logistics & Venue Space – Securing an optimal workspace for collaboration.
• Faculty & Industry Mentorship – Bringing in expert judges and mentors from outside the area to offer valuable feedback and networking opportunities.
• Prizes & Swag – Enhancing the overall student experience.

What past participants are saying about ASA DataFest at Cal Poly:

• “Just getting the opportunity to use a real world data set and realize that the pre-processed data sets we use in classrooms are not representative of the real world”
• “We struggled lots in the beginning and this is good! We learned to work through the challenges and have lots of fun. I loved this experience!”
• “This was a ton of fun. It definitely improved my technical abilities, communication/presenting, and overall was great practice under stress/time. I would highly recommend for anybody interested. The food was also very good.”

With your support, we can continue growing DataFest at Cal Poly and provide students with an unforgettable opportunity to strengthen their data science, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Interested in mentoring, judging, or learning more? We’d love to have you involved! Visit our website to learn more about ASA DataFest at Cal Poly.