Data Science students at AAA Hackathon
Clockwise from left, Data Science students Liam Theis ’19 and Emil Jimenez '20 work with AAA Northeast analysts at the April 5 hackathon at the company's headquarters in Cranston, RI.
Data Science students' in-depth analysis adds value at AAA-sponsored hackathon
May 01, 2019, by Staff Writer
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SMITHFIELD, RI – From case studies to practice simulations to solving problems for regional and global organizations, experiential learning is one of the defining hallmarks of a Bryant education and is a critical component of the Data Science program. From day one, students have abundant opportunities to apply what they learn immediately, building cross-disciplinary skills that are critical to success in the data and analytics arena.

In addition to building data science and analytical skills, these immersive experiences give students the opportunity to develop top-notch planning, project management, presentation, and communication skills. This is a differentiating component of the program.

Recently, six top Data Science and Applied Analytics students teamed up to tackle a real-time business challenge for AAA Northeast. On April 5, Cayla D’Amico ’19, Kate Fallon '19, Trevor Hazlewood '21, Emil Jimenez '20, Wes Young '19, and Liam Theis ’19 traveled to the company’s regional headquarters in Providence, RI, to participate in a day-long hackathon to conduct an in-depth data analysis aimed at reducing roadside assistance fraud. The company hopes to develop a predictive model that will anticipate and prevent abuse, thereby allowing it to better serve its members in urgent need of service. 

Working in three teams, students developed preliminary models that ranked the likelihood for fraud in the next 12 months and gained key insights on the factors associated with abuse. At the end of the day, each team presented their findings to the larger group.

"AAA was impressed with what the students were able to accomplish in the short time frame."

“AAA was impressed with what the students were able to accomplish in the short time frame. They now have a foundation on which to build for continued analysis, and we’ll continue to work with them on this,” says Data Science Executive in Residence John Young, who led the effort. “The students provided real value for the organization.”

In addition to building data science and analytical skills, these immersive experiences give students the opportunity to develop top-notch planning, project management, presentation, and communication skills. "This is a differentiating component of the program," adds Young.

Partnering with industry

The hackathon was part of AAA Northeast’s sponsorship of Bryant’s Data Science program. Through industry partnerships like this, companies contribute industry and marketplace perspective to help shape the program and train their future workforce. Sponsors also recruit interns and hire strong first-year recruits as they graduate.

As the Data Science program grows and brings more sponsors on board, Bryant is building a robust ecosystem of higher education and business relationships that will benefit everyone—students, the University, and corporate partners.

About Bryant’s Data Science program

Bryant’s Data Science program integrates statistics, applied analytics, information technology, machine learning, and big data processing and includes projects, internships, and employment that provide real-world experience across the spectrum of business, nonprofit, health care, and sports industries. In addition to a Bachelor of Science in Data Science, students earn a SAS/Bryant Certificate in analytics, the industry standard for data mining and analytics software.

From its earliest days, Bryant has been a leader in reimagining higher education to anticipate and meet the needs of its students, the marketplace, and society. Today, that commitment finds expression in world-class faculty, an innovative curriculum that integrates business disciplines with the arts and sciences, and award-winning facilities that optimize learning through collaboration and creativity. Bryant’s exceptional faculty, at the core of Bryant’s nationally recognized teaching excellence, are dedicated scholars, teachers, and mentors who inspire students to reach for and achieve their full potential.

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