Rogers and UBC, in collaboration with Databricks, are hosting a weekend hackathon. This event is open to all UBC students interested in creating smart community solutions focused on transit and/or security using cellular tower traffic data. Students from various academic disciplines are welcome to apply, including but not limited to computer science, engineering, and business.
The Challenge
Students must create a smart community solution that focuses Transit or/and Security based off cell tower traffic data. Students will have access to Databricks and a table of synthetic cell tower traffic data across points of interest in Vancouver. The goal is to uncover actionable insights, build a solution around those insights, and demonstrate the solution via a prototype, dashboard, application, notebook, or presentation.
| Category | Point of Interest |
| Transport | Waterfront Station |
| Convention Centre | Vancouver Convention Center |
| Education | University of British Columbia |
Eligibility
Open to all full-time and part-time students at UBC. We welcome students from various academic disciplines to apply including (but not limited to) computer science, engineering, and business.
Prizes
Winning teams will receive a cash prize based on final judging results. Prizes will be split equally across each winning team.
- 1st Place: $3,000
- 2nd Place: $1,800
- 3rd Place: $900
Event Schedule
| Day | Time (PDT) | Activity | Provided Meals |
| Thursday Sept. 17 | 4pm-5pm | Registration deadline Workshop led by Databricks + PrISM (recording will be available) | 1 Meal |
| Thursday Sept. 24 | 12pm-1:30pm | Databricks Remote Mentor Office Hours | N/A |
| 5pm | Team assignment announcement (email) | ||
| Friday Sept. 25 | 2pm-9pm | Data tables distributed to teams Research and idea planning | 1 Meal |
| 2pm-5pm | Databricks mentor available in person | ||
| Saturday Sept. 26 | 9am-9pm | Solution building Giveaways throughout the day! | 3 Meals |
| Sunday Sept. 27 | 9am-11:00am | Solution building | 2 Meals |
| 11:30am-1:45pm | Judging* | ||
| 1:45-2pm | Scoring calculated* | ||
| 2-2:30pm | Announce the winners* |
*Times may be adjusted based on number of teams
Food & Refreshments
Complimentary meals, snacks, and beverages will be provided throughout the event.
Creating Your Databricks Account
Sign up here for a free Databricks account.
Students may want to get familiar with Databricks prior to the hackathon. Here is the Databricks learning portal. Some areas to explore are: Lakehouse Fundamentals, Tutorials, and Solution Accelerators.
Tips For Success
Start with understanding the data, focus on one clear problem, develop a compelling story, create an easy-to-use visual experience, and ensure recommendations are supported by evidence.
Judging Criteria
| Requirement | Points Assigned | Points Earned |
| Data Analysis – In Databricks Clear analysis of patterns across one or more of the points of interest. Effective use of Databricks and analytics methods, such as segmentation, visualization, modelling, or prediction. [+5 points] Extra credit for well-structured pipelines or reproducible analysis. | 15 [+5] | |
| Actionable Insights in a Separate Tool (any front-end application/plug-in: e.g. ppt, Databricks app, web page) An interactive tool that judges can see in action and delivers insights. The solution is easy to understand/visually clear and delivers a smart community solution, tailored to the intended user. The team should demonstrate that their recommendations are grounded in the data, not just assumptions but can include what they could do to enhance their solution with other data points. | 25 | |
| Originality & Impact [5 points] The team presents a novel, compelling, or unexpected use of the data beyond a basic dashboard. [5 points] The value/impact of the idea is clearly communicated. | 10 | |
| Presentation Clear pitch, compelling story and confident explanation of the problem, solution, impact, and next steps. | 5 | |
| TOTAL | 55 [+5] |