Data i/o 2025

Data I/O 2025 was a student-focused data challenge hosted by the Big Data & Analytics Association (BDAA) at Ohio State University. Held at the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship, the event brought together more than 150 students who formed 43 teams to tackle real-world problems through data analysis. Sponsored by partners like 99P Labs, the event offered a platform for both beginner and advanced participants to apply technical skills toward sustainability-focused challenges.

The competition featured two main tracks. The beginner track focused on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, challenging teams to analyze national charging station data for usage gaps and accessibility issues. The advanced track targeted CO₂ emissions from vehicles, encouraging deeper analysis of vehicle characteristics and environmental impact. Each team submitted visualizations, a presentation deck, and a short video to explain their findings and recommendations.

Workshops throughout the day helped students sharpen their skills. Sessions covered development environment setup, Python tooling, and data visualization using Tableau. Mentors guided teams on data wrangling, modeling, and storytelling, helping them translate raw data into meaningful insights.

The event concluded with judging and awards, recognizing standout teams for clarity, creativity, and depth of analysis. Beyond the winners, Data I/O 2025 highlighted a growing interest among students in using data science to solve pressing environmental challenges. It also reinforced the value of hands-on, collaborative learning in developing future data talent.