Data Driven

Data Driven: A Statistics & Data Science Field Day

Competition Games Overview

Participants in Data Driven engage in five unique games, each designed to challenge their critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and statistical reasoning. Below is an overview of the events teams will compete in during the competition.

📈 MARKET: Managing Risk & Reward

Overview:
A game of probability, risk management, and strategy. Players accumulate points over multiple rounds while navigating market conditions that impact their success.

Event Details:

  • Players roll two six-sided dice (2d6) each round.
  • Rolling a 1 on either die results in a “scratch” (losing all points for that round).
  • Before rolling, players decide to “roll” for more points or “stay” to secure their current total.
  • The Market State (Boon, Bust, or Neutral) modifies final scores.
  • The team with the highest average score after six rounds wins.

To practice dice mechanics, visit MARKET Practice page.

🎲 Game Design: Unfair Dice & Hypothesis Testing

Overview:
Hypothesis testing is essential for scientific inquiry, helping us validate or refute assumptions using empirical data. In this game, teams will explore probability by designing experiments with unfair dice.

Event Details:

  • 2 team members will compete.
  • Teams will be given a hypothesis about a set of unfair dice.
  • Teams will have 30 minutes to:
    • Design and conduct experiments to test their hypothesis.
    • Analyze results and determine whether the data supports or refutes their hypothesis.
  • A written summary of findings on a guided worksheet is submitted for judging.

📊 Data Stories: Communicating Insights

Overview:
Data analysis is crucial for drawing meaningful conclusions and driving innovation. In this game, teams will interpret data to tell a compelling story and propose a solution to a real-world challenge.

Event Details:

  • 2 team members will compete.
  • Teams receive a data packet related to a STEM challenge.
  • 30 minutes to analyze data and prepare a 5-minute presentation.
  • Presentations must:
    • Interpret key figures and trends.
    • Identify a problem and propose a solution based on the data.
  • Teams may use a whiteboard for visualization.

🎪 Bayesian Circus: Predicting Probability

Overview:
Bayesian statistics is a powerful method for updating predictions based on prior knowledge. This game challenges students to refine their probability estimates based on observed data.

Event Details:

  • All four team members compete independently.
  • Players analyze a jar of ‘jelly beans’:
    • Three sub-samples of a target color are provided.
    • Players estimate the proportion of the target color in the full jar.
    • After each round, new samples allow players to refine their estimates.
  • Scoring is based on how accurate and precise the predictions are.

🔢 Input-Output: Deciphering Patterns

Overview:
Mathematical reasoning and pattern recognition are key problem-solving skills. In this game, teams will compete head-to-head to identify hidden rules governing input-output relationships.

Event Details:

  • All four team members compete.
  • Teams are shown input-output pairs.
  • Individuals take turns predicting the next output given a new input.
  • Points are earned for correct guesses.

🏆 Ready to Compete?

Teams will compete in all five games throughout the day, testing their statistical skills and strategic thinking. Prizes, including UNL scholarships, will be awarded to top-scoring teams.

📅 Event Date: March 22, 2025
📍 Location: UNL East Campus, Dinsdale Learning Commons

For more details, visit 4h.unl.edu/data-driven or contact Kimberly Stanke at kstanke2 @ UNL (dot) edu.