The ASA’s Statistical Computing, Government Statistics (GSS), and Statistical Graphics sections are sponsoring the 2017 Data Challenge, which will take place at the Joint Statistical Meetings in Baltimore.

The goal of the contest, which began earlier this year with analyses of the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Consumer Expenditure Survey, is to challenge participants to analyze a government data set using statistical and visualization tools and methods. Of the college students and professionals who submitted an analysis, 16 were chosen to present their results in a speed poster session at JSM. All JSM attendees are encouraged to view the presentations.

There will be two award categories: professional (one level) and student (three levels). These awards will be announced at the GSS general membership meeting.

The sections are also moving forward with a special issue of Computational Statistics, which will feature refereed articles from contestants in the 2016 Data Challenge. The data set for the 2016 challenge came from the Department of Transportation’s General Estimates Systems. For the 2017 challenge, the plan is to publish selected refereed articles in a special issue of the Monthly Labor Review.