About the challenge:
The CuseHacks Datathon is Syracuse University’s first-ever annual 24-hour datathon. A datathon is a data-focused competition where students come together to analyze, visualize, and interpret complex datasets to uncover insights and solve real-world problems. CuseHacks is open to data enthusiasts, programmers, analysts, designers, and anyone curious about working with data! In addition to diving into exciting datasets, attendees will have the chance to network with industry professionals, attend hands-on workshops, and take part in fun activities.
Get started
Day 1: February 22nd
10:00AM - Check In:
11:30AM - Opening Ceremony
12:00PM - Hacking Begins | Lunch Arrives
1:00PM - Syracuse Open Data Workshop
5:00PM - Data Visualization Workshop
6:00PM - Dinner
Day 2: February 23rd
7:30AM - Breakfast
12:00PM - Hacking Ends | Lunch Arrives
1:30PM - Judging Begins
4:00PM - Closing Ceremony & Winners Announced
Requirements
Category 1: Best Visualization
Awarded to the team with the most clear, compelling, and aesthetically pleasing data visualization. Judges will assess how effectively the visual elements (graphs, charts, dashboards, etc.) communicate key insights, engage the audience, and support the project's narrative.
Visuals should balance creativity and clarity, ensuring both technical and non-technical audiences can easily interpret the data.
Category 2: Best Insights
Recognizes the team that uncovers the most impactful, surprising, or actionable insights from the provided data. Judges will evaluate the depth of analysis, the relevance of findings to the problem statement, and the potential real-world applications of those insights.
A strong submission will demonstrate critical thinking, data-driven reasoning, and evidence-based conclusions that go beyond surface-level observations.
Category 3: Best Presentation
Given to the team that delivers the most engaging, clear, and persuasive presentation of their project. Judges will assess the team's storytelling ability, structure, delivery, and how well they convey the significance of their findings. The presentation should demonstrate both technical expertise and the ability to communicate complex concepts in an accessible manner.
- Project submission must only be for CuseHacks 2025 and cannot be a project started beforehand.
- Hackers cannot work for multiple team submissions.
- Document all external code that you have used within your project
Submission guidelines:
Kindly submit your code on Devpost and be ready to present it in person to the judges. We strongly encourage having a GitHub repository for your project.
Prizes
TBD
We will keep you updated on what the prizes entail!
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Adam Peruta
Associate Professor in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University
Jeff Passetti
Lead Artistic Designer Office of Communications
Tim Wasserman
Asst Dir Data Analytics, Institutional Research at Syracuse University
William Gearty
Postdoctoral Researcher in the Open Source Program Office at Syracuse University
Judging Criteria
-
Best Visualization
Awarded for the clearest, most compelling, and visually appealing data visualization. Judges evaluate how well visuals (graphs, charts, dashboards) communicate insights, engage audiences, and support the narrative. -
Best Insights
Awarded for uncovering the most impactfuil, surprising, or actionable insights. Judges assess depth of analysis, relevance to the problem, and real-world potential. -
Best Presentation
Awarded for the most engaging, clear, and persuasive project presentation. Judges evaluate storytelling, structure, delivery, and how well the team conveys the significance of their findings, balancing technical expertise and accessibility.
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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