You have signed up for this years edition but now you are wondering what the jury is expecting from your paper? Well, first of all you will receive a MS-Word-template which you have to use. It comes with detailed instructions. Once you have finished your paper make sure you did the following steps before you submit:   1) convert your finished paper in a pdf-file 2) create an anonymized version that contains only your team name (not the university nor your names), and don't forget to delete any data in the "Acknowledgment"-section that would give hints who you are. This is the version the jury will receive 3) convert that also in the pdf-format 4) submit both papers to curiositycup@sas.com   You will receive a mail if your paper has been accepted, and also information how to claim your digital badge from Credly.   We thought it might be useful to have examples from the last edition, so please find attached the papers from the 2023 winning teams.   So: have fun and work hard  😀 ... View more

Observing the rapid integration of technology into our children's lives, it's evident that the digital realm has become an intrinsic part of our existence. Discussions around the appropriate age for smartphone ownership and basic guidance on navigating digital landscapes are common occurrences. Each generation seamlessly adapts to technological advancements, exploring its potentials with relative freedom. While Wikipedia defines digital literacy as "an individual's ability to find, evaluate, and communicate information using typing or digital media platforms," the scope of this literacy extends beyond mere technical skills. It encompasses an understanding of the repercussions of our online actions. Do we consider the data generated when we interact with online content? How does our online behaviour impact society and the environment? Questions of etiquette, safety, and accuracy in information dissemination arise. Surprisingly, digital literacy is a concern even at the policy level, evident in initiatives like the European Union's Digital Skills Indicator. This tool reveals intriguing trends, highlighting disparities in digital skills across demographics such as age, education level, and geographic location. Particularly striking is the correlation between formal education and digital proficiency, indicating a gap that needs addressing. Especially education is the most interesting point as it clearly shows the gap of skills between low and high formal education. No surprise about the result, but many people with no or low skills are using digital devices. So just using them does not mean to have skills. That may not harm society but it is a clear chance missed to have more outcome (and maybe income).   Communication, for instance, has undergone a profound transformation in the digital age, presenting both opportunities and challenges. It's imperative that we equip ourselves with the knowledge to navigate this evolving landscape responsibly. In light of this, I advocate for dedicating time to familiarize oneself with the digital realm's potential while also valuing real-world experiences. Balancing digital engagement with activities like hiking or socializing offline fosters a holistic approach to life in the digital age. In conclusion, cultivating digital literacy is not merely about acquiring technical skills but understanding the broader implications of our digital actions. By doing so, we empower ourselves to navigate the digital universe effectively while fostering a more responsible and informed society. Interested in enhancing your digital literacy? Explore our Data Literacy training program to earn a digital learning badge and elevate your skills in the digital age.   Picture source: https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/datastories/digital-literacy-eu-overview ... View more

Hey there   unsure if your SAS skills are still up to date? Check this workshop series - all recorded and 24/7 available!   https://support.liveweb.sas.com/lwrecord/index.php?code=LWPBLSCC_20240122_2328912_US   And, the sessions were as follows: Session 1: Getting Started with Data and SAS Session 2: Exploring Data using Visualizations Session 3: Data Wrangling and Descriptive Statistics Session 4: Fitting Machine Learning Models: The Basics Session 5: Displaying Insights Interactively ... View more

Round 1 of the SAS Curiosity Cup is over – and there was a lot of quality in the projects! 52 teams from around the globe submitted their paper, and 25 industry consultants gave their scores. Congratulations to the best 10 #teams! You have made it to the final round where you need to share a video presentation of your project.   All other teams: don’t be sad!  You were part of it, and we hope you have learned a lot and also had some fun. Next year there will be another edition and the chance for you to compete if you are still a student then.   We really appreciated the creative and funny input some teams gave: several papers about wine quality and tasting, speed dating, or comparing the patterns of alcohol pack size preferences between urban and rural residents in Iowa. There was a team "Left Twix" and I can tell you, we were sad that "Right Twix" did not register. Within the next days all teams will get a mail with your score and the sub-scores per category, comments from the jury and of course the instruction how to apply for your participant badge ... View more

https://www.sas.com/sas/events/analytics-school.html   There is growing understanding that data-driven organisations are generally stronger and will be in a better position to thrive in the future. They can make better decisions that are more closely based on the needs and wants of their customers or client groups. They are also better placed to see and understand environmental or organisational changes and respond to them rapidly. This understanding has driven the huge growth in demand for data scientists around the world. However, employing data scientists alone is not enough. Data science cannot be a niche activity if companies are genuinely to become data-driven. In the words of my colleague Haidar Altaie back in November 2020, we need to get data science out of the IT department, and into the boardroom. And not just the boardroom, either. Everyone in the organisation needs to understand data and analytics. They don’t all need to be data scientists—but they do need to be data literate. This can best be achieved by democratising analytics: enabling self-service analytics so that everyone can use the necessary tools and data to support each and every decision within the organisation. This is not just true in commercial organisations: government departments and ministries are also discovering the benefits of democratisation of analytics in improving policy decisions.   The basis of democratisation However, it is not enough to simply give everyone access to analytical tools. Genuine democratisation of data and analytics requires broad knowledge of how to use the tools provided, how to choose the right data and then interpret the findings. It may require a concentrated programme of learning and encouragement across the organisation. Some universities are embracing this idea and offering introductory courses in data science to students on a wide range of majors, especially business-related majors. But what about those whose university days are far behind them? Lifelong learning is the key here, but choosing the right course or support is essential. SAS now offers seasonal analytics schools, running one per quarter. These schools are two-day live events. They are designed to provide their students with analytics skills and show them how these skills can be used in their organisation, on real-world problems. The course takes students through a process of how to work with data, covering the whole range from data preparation and discovery to deployment. Over the course of the two days, students use SAS Visual Analytics via the new SAS Skill Builder for Students platform. This provides free access to SAS software and training materials—and this access continues after the course, so students can go back and review material again later. Broadly, the format is that each morning is guided sessions, including both workshops and practice sessions. The afternoon is for individual exercises and practice.  The sessions will include talks on creating value from data, market and technology trends, and using data science to search for predictions of ski tour difficulties. Early on the first day, students will be given a demo of SAS Visual Analytics and the platform. They will also be given support when they first start using both. https://www.sas.com/sas/events/analytics-school.html A starting point for the future The point of these seasonal schools is not to turn out skilled data scientists. Instead, they provide a base of knowledge, and potentially a jumping-off point for future learning. Students can work towards getting their SAS Visual Analytics and Statistics Learning Badge, with guidance from those running the course, which provides a nice token to put on their CVs or LinkedIn profiles. Others may use the seasonal schools as a way to assess their interest in analytics, and whether to take it further. If you are really interested by what you learn at the school, you might want to consider doing a more advanced course. However, if you just want to understand a bit more about data and how to use it to generate insights, then the school will provide that. You will emerge knowing more about data and its use—and understanding how to use some analytics tools. This can only help both you and your organisation.  Seasonal schools are not the whole answer to anything. However, they do have a role in play in increasing understanding and ability to use analytics, and improving data literacy across organisations. This, in turn, is an essential step in the process of democratising analytics and data, and developing data-driven organisations.   University students can sign up here for free: https://www.sas.com/sas/events/analytics-school.html  Join us May 15th & 16th ... View more

After a great event last year we are proud and excited to open registration for student teams from all over the world! This community is designed as a meeting point for all participants to ask questions, discuss with others and get insight from last years competition. Stay tuned for posts from former winners, judges and organizers, questions from current competitors and status information how the competition goes.     Let the game begin....   ...and stay curious! Jürgen Kaselowsky Director Global Academic Program EMEA   ... View more