Team of 2–3 · Data display and research portfolio

Data Science and Analytics

You will use wildlife data to recommend conservation priorities for Yellowstone.

You analyze the provided data.You show your findings in graphs.You explain your recommendations.

What you make or do

Analyze the provided dataset and create a display with graphs explaining the issue and your findings.
Prepare a printed portfolio with supporting research, data analysis, findings and recommendations, sources, software used, and work log.

This year’s challenge

Explore fifty years of changes in Yellowstone wildlife populations and migration. Use the supplied ecological, environmental, and human data to develop evidence-based criteria for conservation planning.

How the competition works

Before the event

Use the official Yellowstone wildlife dataset, research the context, and develop evidence-based conclusions. Complete the display and portfolio before the conference.

First round

Set up your display and submit your portfolio. Judges assess displays first, then the portfolios of the highest-ranking entries.

If you advance

All team members take part in a five-minute presentation followed by up to five minutes of questions about your analysis.

Know before you choose: You must use the provided Yellowstone_Wildlife dataset. Your graphs should support your conclusions, and your portfolio must show the analysis behind them.

How your work is scored

Judges assess graphs, explanation of impacts, communication, display design, research, documentation, and how clearly your team explains its analysis.

Download the official rubric or score sheet (PDF)

Open the scoring pages within the full event guide

Read the full 2027 theme or preparation information

Data Set – Yellowstone_Wildlife.csv

Topic: Explore how wildlife populations and their migration behaviors have shifted in Yellowstone National Park over the last 50 years. Look at the key ecological, environmental, and human characteristics provided in the dataset. Based on your analysis, create a set of data-driven criteria that can help Yellowstone National Park with their planning for wildlife conservation. Support your predictive criteria with clear evidence from the data.

yellowstone_wildlife.csv

Official files to keep

Read the guide, current challenge, and updates together. This overview helps you choose; the official documents give the full requirements.

Guide evidence: 131–138. Annual sources checked September 10, 2026. These are national competition rules; your teacher will confirm any regional or state changes.

Interested in this event?

Use the notes sheet to check what this choice would involve.

Start my competition notes