Welcome to The DataJam!

Empowering Youth in Data Science Education

At The DataJam, we're passionate about fostering the next generation of data scientists. Our mission is to engage middle school, high school and community college students in the exciting world of big data and data fluency, preparing them to thrive in a data-driven society. The DataJam is dedicated to developing new strategies for engaging these students in the field of big data and data science to encourage them to participate fully in a data-driven world!

Annual DataJam Competition

Join our annual DataJam competition and embark on a journey of discovery! Teams of middle school, high school and community college students explore real-world questions using publicly available datasets, guided by college student mentors. Experience the thrill of data analysis and present your findings at our DataJam finale held at the end of April each year. In the last two years we have expanded our use of videoconferencing for holding workshops, mentoring and even for the DataJam finale. Participation from across the United States is increasing rapidly!

Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald viewing posters at the Data Jam Finale

Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald viewing posters at the DataJam Finale

Modularized Data Science Curriculum

Access our modular curriculum of hands-on activities designed to make data science engaging and accessible for all. Developed by a team of educators and university professors, these resources are perfect for middle school, high school and even community college classrooms.

A Walkthrough of The DataJam Website:

This video will give you a guided tour through the website. It is an easy way to quickly find out what resources we have and where on the website you can locate them.

Data Dialogs

Data Dialogs are engaging interviews with members of the DataJam community (high school and community college students participating in the DataJam, high school teachers and community college faculty serving as DataJam Team Advisors, DataJam Mentors, and academic and business partners who serve as DataJam Judges) to find out their perspectives on what impact they believe DataJam participation has on individuals and on the long-term well-being of communities that support DataJam teams.

Empower Data. Empower Change.

Donate to the DataJam Today!

By supporting us, you’re joining a movement to ignite young minds and equip them with the skills they need to excel in the data-driven world. The demand for skilled data scientists is skyrocketing, and together, we can bridge the gap and empower the innovators of tomorrow.

Why Your Support Matters

The DataJam is more than an academic competition—it’s a launchpad for high school and community college students to dive into the dynamic field of big data. Your contribution helps us:

  • Provide cutting-edge resources to future data leaders.

  • Host enriching, hands-on competitions that challenge students to solve real-world problems.

  • Inspire a diverse generation of data scientists to make informed decisions and drive impactful change.

When you donate, you’re investing in more than just education; you’re shaping the future of entire industries through the brilliance of young data analysts.

How You Can Help

💡 Donate Today
Click the "Donate" button now to fuel this transformative mission. Your generosity will directly impact ambitious students and their journey to becoming future leaders in data science.

📢 Spread the Word
Tell your network about The DataJam! Share our mission with friends, family, and colleagues to amplify the impact of your generosity. Check out our Instagram and LinkedIn!

🤝 Get Involved
Become a mentor, judge or participant! Join our community of fantastic supporters! Your expertise and passion could inspire the next great data scientist!

Donate now and be a part of The DataJam's journey towards a brighter, data-driven future!

 

DataJam News

DataJam Jordan

April - July 2025

The second year of The DataJam Jordan program, was organized by Hashemite University, and involved three schools with 11 initial teams—4 from Prince Abdullah bin Al-Hussein Neighborhood Mixed Secondary School, 3 from Ikrima School, and 4 from Almaqreezy School. Nine university students from Hashemite University served as DataJam mentors and guided the students through the development of their DataJam proposals, data visualization and analysis, and advised them on the preparation of their posters and slide presentations.

  • The projects covered topics such as groundwater degradation in Al-Dhlail district, air pollution’s effects on cow health and milk production, greenhouse gases and biodiversity in Jordan (1900–2025), climate change-related diseases, electronic waste’s impact on human health, cow manure and Salmonella as a hidden public health threat, fine particulate matter’s impact on lung health, and rising temperatures’ influence on electricity consumption in Al-Zarqa (2019–2023). The event concluded with top honors awarded to three teams from Prince Abdullah bin Al-Hussein Neighborhood Mixed Secondary School: first place to Group 2 for their project on cow manure and Salmonella, second place to Group 3 for their study on fine particulate matter’s impact on lungs, and third place to Group 1 for analyzing temperature increases and electricity consumption in Al-Zarqa. DataJam Jordan is supported as part of the Global Center  on Climate Change and Water Energy Food Health Systems project funded by the National Institutes of Health in the U.S. 

From Summer Camp to DataJam

July 30, 2025

Something amazing happens when different groups come together with one shared goal: helping young people grow. That’s exactly what happened when The DataJam, The Floating Hospital (TFH), the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) with its WIH Give Back Affinity Group, Communities Connected, Airos, and ListenFirst teamed up for an event all about how data can inform and guide decisions in everyday life

The students who joined this 3 hour program given at The Floating Hospital in Long Island City, NY, were all alumni of TFH’s Camp Rise-Up—a summer camp and leadership program that helps teens build confidence, friendships, and life and health skills. Now, those same students are stepping into a new challenge: learning how to use data to answer important questions about the world around them.

  • For many, it was their first time realizing that numbers and charts aren’t just for school—they’re tools they can use to make decisions, tell and share stories, and even influence change. Along with mentors from The DataJam and HBA’s WIH Give Back, students were able to analyze a dataset, draw conclusions to tell a story, and present findings to the group. HBA’s WIH Give Back volunteers also bought the group breakfast and lunch, then took a smaller group of these students to the NY Hall of Science museum, also in Queens, NY. It was a fabulous day for everyone who participated!

    What Students Took Away

    The biggest lesson wasn’t just about math or science—it was about believing in themselves and their ability to use data in their lives. Students learned that:

    • Data is powerful: It can help them understand problems and find solutions.

    • Their voices matter: Sharing what they discover can shape how adults and organizations make decisions.

    • They are part of something bigger: By working with mentors and partner organizations, they see that teamwork makes change (and science!) possible.

    Why Partnerships Matter

    Partnerships are like puzzle pieces—they each bring something unique, but when you put them together, the picture is stronger and more complete.

    • The DataJam teaches students how to work with data in fun and meaningful ways. The DataJam also works to grow and engage a community of students, mentors, and data science enthusiasts interested in helping each other to evolve the skills needed for using data in life and in their careers. Special thanks to Zac Lindquist, with a Fellowship from the Community Engagement program of the Frederick Honors College, who ran the program, and Alex Bauer, for facilitating laptop connectivity.

    • The Floating Hospital provides health and wellness care for families, and gives kids a safe place to grow and thrive. The relationships TFH nurtures with local families in New York City builds trust and community, leading to improved health. Special thanks to Meaghan Miller, PhD, for coordinating this program with her other community initiatives – and thanks to Sophia Binder, MPH, for facilitating student engagement before and during the program.

    • HBA’s WIH GB program works with partners to help lift up women, men and their families in their health gaps, and helping to make healthcare more accessible to everyone. They are leveraging their business and networking expertise to help partners achieve more than they would alone. WIH GB was pivotal to bringing all of these partners together. For this program to work, we needed laptops for the students to access data – and that took more help. Speical thanks to Rucha Pandit, MBA (also of ListenFirst); Vrinda Deval, MBA; Beth Bauer, MS (also of The DataJam and Communities Connected); Dawn Fallon; Ritu Khandelwal, MBA; and Leslie Darling for coordinating all the moving parts and providing in-person assistance during the program.

      • ListenFirst is a reporting, research, and consulting team built for marketers who need fast, expert answers, without managing more tools. ListenFirst donated used laptops to The DataJam for conducting these short student programs. Special thanks to Rucha Pandit for securing the donated laptops.

      • AIROS is a technology company whose mission is to care for those who provide care by ensuring they have all of the necessary assets, resources, and technology tools to support care providers. Airos helped The DataJam to test and wipe the laptops, preparing them for use.

      • Communities Connected works at the intersection of data, technology and people to advance and scale community health and well-being.  Communities Connected facilitated communication between The DataJam and HBA’s WIH GB, and secured IDs and authentication, we well as enabled the laptops for team usage. Special thanks to Albert Bauer and Beth Bauer for making laptop usage a seamless experience for these students.

    When these types of purpose driven groups join forces, they don’t just teach skills—they create opportunities for students to see themselves as leaders and changemakers.

    A Ripple of Change

    For educators, The DataJam one day program can show how partnerships can open doors that schools can’t always open alone. For students, it’s proof that the lessons they learned through Camp Rise-Up—resilience, leadership, and hope—can keep growing in new directions. For everyone, this is an opportunity for The DataJam to show how data connects people with stories and facts that may not surface until curiosity and persistence are matched with arts and sciences.

    This is more than just a one-off event; it’s the start of a ripple effect. As students have said, “Data could tell a story about my interests. Now I feel like I can use data to make a difference.” 

    Together, these partnerships are not only teaching skills—they’re planting seeds of confidence, leadership, and possibility that will keep growing for years to come.

2025 Community College DataJam Finale

May 1, 2025

The 2025 DataJam Finale as recorded on video conference on May 1, 2025. Watch here as the students present all their hard work and findings by explicating hypotheses using data analysis!

Winning Teams

2025 High School DataJam Finale

April 24, 2025

The 2025 DataJam Finale as recorded on video conference on April 24th, 2025. Watch here as the students present all their hard work and findings by explicating hypotheses using data analysis!

Winning Teams

Central Dauphin High School Teacher Inspires Students with Data Science and Industry Collaboration

April 1, 2025

Bob Moreland, a teacher at CDHS, took an unconventional path into education. Once immersed in the corporate world, he grew disillusioned with the relentless pressure and ethical compromises he witnessed. Seeking a more meaningful way to use his expertise, he turned to teaching high school—a decision that has since transformed the lives of countless students. Bob brings his energetic and engaging approach to teaching to the classroom, focusing on project-based learning and real-world applications.

  • One of the unique aspects of Bob's classes is the integration of Six Sigma training. Six Sigma is a data-driven and customer-focused approach to improving the quality and efficiency of business processes. Key principles of Six Sigma include data-driven decision making, process improvement, collaboration and involvement. So far, two students have achieved Black Belt status, with three more soon to follow. By partnering with industry professionals, his students tackle real-world challenges, gaining valuable experience and making a tangible impact. In one standout project, a student team optimized a machining process for a company, resulting in an astonishing $440 million in savings. In total these projects have saved local businesses over $460 million dollars!

    Bob's passion for practical, impactful learning led him to introduce The DataJam to his students, recognizing it as an opportunity to connect them with a larger network of like-minded learners and industry professionals. Through this partnership, students gain hands-on experience in real-world data challenges, equipping them with the skills and confidence to make a tangible difference. He instills in them a sense of ownership over their environment, encouraging them to use data science to enact meaningful change. One student-led project optimized the school’s bus routes, resulting in an annual savings of $10,000 to $11,000—funds that could be redirected toward educational resources. Another project uncovered a stark disparity in learning outcomes, showing that students who relied on Zoom instruction during the pandemic had an average grade of just 60% of their in-person peers, while their in-person peers maintained an A- average. These findings, shared as part of their DataJam projects, sparked crucial conversations with school administrators, demonstrating the power of student-driven analytics. As a result, the school has become increasingly receptive to student-led data initiatives, establishing a culture where students are trusted as key contributors to the school’s evolution. Through their participation in The DataJam, students are not only gaining technical expertise but also learning how to communicate their insights effectively to drive meaningful change.

    Beyond technical skills, Bob sees data science as a discipline rooted in responsibility and trust. He teaches his students that data is more than just numbers—it is a powerful force that shapes decisions, policies, and lives. By emphasizing honor and integrity, he ensures that his students not only master analytics but also understand their duty to use data ethically. He believes that fostering this mindset is essential to restoring and maintaining public confidence in both scientific inquiry and mathematical truth. Through his dedication, Bob is shaping the next generation of data scientists—not just as skilled professionals, but as responsible stewards of truth and innovation.

Pennsylvania DataJam Teams Present Their Posters at Pitt Data Science Day 2025

March 27, 2025

Data Science Day 2025, hosted by the Responsible Data Science Center at the University of Pittsburgh, was held on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Data Science Day 2025 was designed to celebrate the rapid pace of AI-driven innovation and data science excellence at the University of Pittsburgh. This event brought together researchers, industry leaders, and students to showcase groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics at Pitt and with its partner organizations. This year The DataJam was invited to bring high school and community college DataJam teams to the event and give them the opportunity to present their work alongside Pitt undergraduate and graduate students.

  • Eight DataJam teams attended Data Science Day 2025, including three teams from Avonworth High School, one team from North Allegheny Senior High, one team from Hempfield High School, one team from Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy and two teams at Central Dauphin High School who traveled all the way from Harrisburg, PA to participate in the event. The teams presented their DataJam posters, sharing the insights they gained from their DataJam projects with a wide variety of students, teachers and faculty in attendance. 

    Leon Xu, a DataJam mentor who is working on an independent research project as a collaboration between The DataJam and the Responsible Data Science Center, and is supported by the Community Research Program at the Frederick Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh, also presented a poster. Leon’s project, The DataJam Virtual AI Mentor, will be available in the Fall of 2025 to DataJam Teams. It will offer tools that assist teams with focusing in on a research question to study in their DataJam project,  hypothesis refinement, finding datasets aligned with their topic. The DataJam Virtual AI Mentor is designed to make AI and data analysis more intuitive, lower the barriers to entry into a data science project and foster a deeper understanding of data science processes. Watch for it in Fall 2025!

    The day was capped off by brief lightening talks from two other DataJam mentors, Andrew Lindros and Zac Lindquist, who spoke about the design of The DataJam, and their very positive experiences mentoring multiple DataJam teams. Each spoke of the research projects they have undertaken as DataJam mentors. Andrew authored both the DataJam Language Guide and the DataJam Inclusive Language Guide available on the Resources page at thedatajam.org. Zac developed recruitment materials for recruiting Community College DataJam teams in rural locations and his efforts in the summer of 2024, supported by a Community Research Fellowship from the Frederick Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh, led to the successful recruitment of teams from Jamestown Community College in rural New York who have participated in both the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Community College DataJam competitions. This summer Zac will be expanding his efforts to recruit teams from New York City, via a collaboration with the Child Mind Institute in NYC, to make brain imaging and other data available to DataJam teams for use in their DataJam projects.

DataJam Attends the Women in Data Science Conference (WiDS) — Featuring Our Very Own Sarah Sirakos (DataJam Mentor) as a Presenter!

March 14, 2025

The DataJam attended the incredible Pittsburgh Women in Data Science (WiDS) Conference, an event dedicated to showcasing the latest innovations and breakthroughs in the field of data science. Hosted at Carnegie Mellon University, the event brought together industry leaders, researchers, and data enthusiasts to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and inspire the next generation of data scientists.

  • Sarah Sirakos, a DataJam mentor, participated in the networking session and presented her work with the DataJam! Sarah, a student in the Frederick Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh received a Community Research Fellowship in the summer of 2024 (see the September 2024 issue of The DataJam Download (issue 23) for the work she presented.  During her fellowship, Sarah created two guides (“Asking Questions about Climate Change in Jordan: A Dataset Guide” and “Health and Climate Change in Jordan: A Dataset Guide”) that highlighted methods and resources for students participating in The DataJam in Jordan. Transposing The DataJam to Jordan was an undertaking initiated by the National Institutes of Health-funded Global Center on Climate Change Water Energy Food Healthy Systems (GC3WEFH) and the Jordanian non-profit organization Climate Action Network Jordan (CAN). The guides were designed to help students source data, ask important questions, and even find answers to those questions, as they learned how to undertake a data science project.

    The half day WiDS meeting also featured distinguished speakers who were experts from leading technology companies, academic institutions, and research organizations who shared insights into the evolving landscape of data science. They highlighted the skills they have learned and were open to questions from students navigating the world of data science.

    Beyond the technical sessions, WiDS also emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in data science. The conference served as a platform for women and underrepresented groups to share their experiences, discuss challenges, and advocate for a more equitable future in the industry.

    The DataJam remains committed to fostering professional development and supporting initiatives that empower individuals in the data science community. The insights gained from WiDS will contribute to the organization’s ongoing efforts to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and inclusivity in the field.

DataJam Newsletter

The DataJam Download - September 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to The DataJam Download, your monthly guide to all things DataJam! Dive into the world of high school and community college data projects with us, where we keep you in the loop from September through June.

Stay on track with insights into where your team should be in the DataJam project process. We'll guide you through every step of the way, ensuring you're on the right path to success.

Discover fresh resources tailor-made to elevate your DataJam projects. Our constantly updated tools and resources are designed to help teams excel and achieve their goals.

Meet your mentors, our expert DataJam Mentors who are always ready to provide valuable advice and support. Learn from the best in the field and gain insights that will take your project to the next level.

Explore the spotlight on data professionals, where we showcase the world of data gurus collaborating with The DataJam to expand our reach nationwide. Get inspired by their stories and expertise, and see how they contribute to our vibrant community.

Get exclusive sneak peeks of exciting updates on our website, thedatajam.org. Plus, explore featured DataJam resources and learn where to find them online to enhance your project experience.

Stay connected with the latest activities of new teams joining the DataJam community in our Team Spotlight. Celebrate their achievements and milestones with us as we grow together.

Ready to join the DataJam community and receive your personalized newsletter every month? Just drop us an email at datajam@thedatajam.org or fill out the form below to get on our mailing list. We're also all ears for your suggestions! Share your ideas with us via email, and let's make this newsletter even better together.

Get ready to embark on a journey of data exploration with The DataJam Download - because data-driven success starts here!

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