Join our prediction competition for the United States 2024 election!
On November 5th , 2024, Yale’s Institution for Social and Policy Studies (ISPS), through its Democratic Innovations Program, is hosting an exciting prediction competition focused on the U.S. election. This event is the first of its kind at Yale and open to students of all levels and fields. Please register at THIS LINK by Friday, October 18 to participate.
Overview
Participants are invited to take part in a 60-hour prediction competition focused on the U.S. election taking place on November 5. Participants will have time to work on their models from the start of the kick-off event on Wednesday, October 23rd until midnight on Saturday, October 26th when all predications must be submitted to the judging committee.
Teams of up to 5 people will tackle three distinct prediction tasks, all centered around political science questions related to the election. Competitors are free to use any programming language they choose.
Access to various datasets is provided, and participants are encouraged to be creative in their approach, whether using statistical models or machine learning techniques. The competition welcomes innovative ideas, and the use of new or unconventional data sources is highly encouraged.
The submitted prediction models will be evaluated during election night and compared to the actual election results. Prizes will be awarded for the best overall model, the most innovative approach, and the best newcomer team. This is a unique opportunity to test your data science skills in a real-world scenario and engage with pressing political questions!
The program is designed in three parts. The workshops are optional and designed for people with no prior experience with R.
- Introductory R Coding Workshops – No prior coding experience? No problem! These workshops will equip you with the skills to participate.
- Prediction Competition – Compete to predict various election outcomes.
- Election Watch Party – Celebrate and track the election results together during a fun watch party on November 5th.
Teams of up to 5 people can register, or you can join solo and find a team during the workshops or at our Kick-off Event. We encourage teams with diverse academic backgrounds, as learning will span across R programming, American politics, and election forecasting.
No matter your experience level, there’s a place for you! Enjoy food, networking opportunities, and a chance to deepen your understanding of politics and data science.
Sign up now at this link, and don’t miss out on this unique experience!
Schedule
| date/time | event activity and location |
|---|---|
| OCT 21 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM |
WORKSHOP 1: Data Transformation in R (optional) This beginner-friendly workshop dives into the fundamentals of data transformation using R’s tidyverse. Participants will learn how to clean, filter, summarize, and reshape datasets efficiently, making use of powerful tools like dplyr and tidyr. By the end of this session, attendees will be equipped with practical skills to handle messy data and streamline their workflows in R. |
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OCT 22 |
WORKSHOP 2: Data Modelling in R (optional) In this hands-on workshop, we explore the essentials of data modeling within R’s tidyverse framework. Designed for newcomers, this session introduces basic regression models and key tidy tools, including broom, to help interpret and present model outputs clearly. Attendees will learn how to build, evaluate, and refine models, laying a strong foundation for statistical analysis in R |
|
OCT 23 |
WORKSHOP 3: Data Visualization in R (optional) This workshop focuses on creating compelling and informative visualizations using ggplot2, the powerful visualization tool from the tidyverse. Geared towards beginners, participants will be guided through the process of building various types of plots, customizing them, and uncovering insights from their data visually. By the end of this session, attendees will have the skills to turn data into meaningful and aesthetic visual representations. |
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OCT 23 |
PREDICTION COMPETITION KICK-OFF EVENT Kick-off event where rules will be explained, followed by pizza, snacks, and drinks. |
| NOV 5 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM |
U.S. ELECTION WATCH PARTY Election watching event for participants, including pizza and snacks. |