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Following an exhilarating weekend of innovation and collaboration, a multidisciplinary team of talented �Ļ�Ӱ�� students secured 2nd place at the Rowdy Datathon, an NSA sponsored Data Science Design Challenge. The competition was held at University of Texas San Antonio, October 5-6, 2024. Competing against eight teams, the �Ļ�Ӱ�� team showcased their skills to land second in the intermediate division. 

The Rowdy Datathon is an annual, weekend-long event that challenges participants to solve complex data science problems. It brings together students from various disciplines to foster teamwork and innovation in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Participants are judged on creativity, technical execution, and the potential impact of their solutions. This year’s event provided invaluable learning experiences and an opportunity for students to showcase their abilities in front of industry experts. 

Students Benjamin Fairbank (Criminal Justice major), Jo Cordova-Flores (Computer Security and Information Assurance major), Jonathan Calzadillas (Mathematics major), and Tyler Sheindlin (General Engineering major) participated in the event. The multi-disciplinary team emphasized their appreciation for the generous sponsorship from the �Ļ�Ӱ�� Department of Defense Cyber Institute, which made their participation in the Datathon possible. “None of this would have been achievable without the support of the Cyber Institute,” Tyler Sheindlin noted. “We are deeply appreciative of the opportunity to represent the Cyber Institute and �Ļ�Ӱ��.” 

The team’s project focused on monitoring the migration patterns and population dynamics of monarch butterflies. By analyzing data collected from various sources, they developed a model that aimed to better understand the environmental factors influencing these vital pollinators. The team’s findings highlight the importance of conservation efforts and provide valuable insights for researchers and policymakers.