Communities along the U.S.-Mexico border have been hard hit by COVID-19. While researchers race to develop a vaccine, leaders at schools, offices, stores, restaurants, and many other places where life plays out want to move forward. But how can we use data to confidently and transparently decide what is safe? And how can we better understand risk levels in real-time and effectively communicate them to the public?
As part of this data challenge organized by UC San Diego in collaboration with the Border Solutions Alliance and the West Big Data Innovation Hub, teams will work together on projects to answer these crucial questions. There is no specific format for project submissions. For example, a team could build an app or a website, create a dashboard, make a poster or video that uses data storytelling, or propose a pilot project to gather new data.
Anyone from either side of the border can participate in this online challenge, and teams are encouraged to consider cross-border dynamics. Participants can sign up as a team or sign up individually to be matched to a team. Each team will have access to data sets and will work alongside community leaders, government partners, researchers, and private sector data scientists on projects. Experts are also invited to join as a mentor, judge, or lightning talk speaker.
A kickoff meeting will be held on August 27, 9:00 AM PDT, and project information sheets are due by September 13, 10:00 PM PDT, to be eligible to compete in the pitch competition on September 27 for $5,000 in prizes.
For more information about the challenge and to register, click here.