Data Science and Analytics
Description
Participants conduct research on an annual theme (see below), collect data, and document their research in a supporting portfolio and a display. Participants implement a variety of methods to find connections between data, and gain insightful knowledge about a particular issue. Using analytics, participants assess collected data to make predictions and informed decisions. Semifinalist teams report for a timed, onsite challenge in which they must review specific data sets, provide insights, make predictions, and present their findings.
2025-25 Challenge
Data Set - Transportation Details
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (https://www.census.gov/topics/employment/commuting.html), explore how people travel to work across the country. Look at key characteristics provided in the data set. Based on your analysis, create a set of data-driven criteria that could help predict how someone might commute to work. Support your criteria with evidence from the data.
Skyview MS, Team 1, 2026 1st Place State, 1st Place National
Event Resources
EVENT EXAMPLES
Click on the links to the right to view past entries for this event.
Event Deadlines
January 21, 2027
Students submit a pdf file containing the following:
A definition and explanation of the issue researched, including problems, impact and possible solutions
Explanation of the importance of the issue
Images or graphs that will be used on the display
April 2027
Students submit portfolio and set up display on Wednesday evening.
ALL teams participate in onsite challenge, and present analyses to judges.
NOTE
This is a low enrollment event, requiring students to receive at least 75% of the total points possible to be in the Top 5 on stage, or to progress to the National TSA Conference in this event.
Washington TSA Rules
To compete, students must:
Belong to a currently affiliated TSA chapter
Be registered (by their TSA advisor) for competition by December 18, 2026 ($35)
Compete in the January 21, 2027 virtual competition (see individual event pages for details)
Be selected as a top competitor in their event(s) and invited to participate at State
Number of competitors is dependent on specific event
Qualifying competitor lists will be published by February 7, 2027
State Conference registration week February 22-26, 2027 (see state conference page for details)
At the state level, 3 teams per chapter may compete.
Additional Information
Event Coordinator:
Event Manager: Kari Potter, kpotter@washingtontsa.org
