The province and Dalhousie University are inviting youth to innovate using data at an open data contest.

The contest will challenge participants to use data from Nova Scotia’s open data portal to come up with a unique product, like a website, app or model, that will promote tourism, help immigrants, manage natural resources or protect the environment.

“Open data is about using data to drive innovation,” said Internal Services Minister Labi Kousoulis. “We are challenging our youth to put their creativity and problem-solving skills to work and use data to create something new and beneficial for the public.”

The contest starts Saturday, March 4, which is International Open Data Day, and ends Sunday, March 5, when the best innovations will earn prizes. The contest is open to individuals and teams.

“Understanding how to analyze, visualize and model data are critical skills essential in a digital society,” said Sandra Toze, director of Dalhousie University’s School of Information Management. “These competitions are an excellent way to build skills and demonstrate how working with data can have economic and social benefits within our community. Dalhousie is committed to increasing data literacy within Nova Scotia.”

For more information, or to register, go to data.novascotia.ca.

Source: Release