REGISTER by February 6, 2026
MAIN EVENT: Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21, 2026
Plot-A-Thon celebrates student learning of data analysis, visualization, and storytelling through interdisciplinary, team-based competition. Plot-A-Thon consists of a series of Fall training workshops and a two-day data visualization “hack-a-thon” event occurring in Spring. For participants, there will be prizes for winning teams, opportunities to network with corporate sponsors and listen to inspiring plenary speakers!
Listen to one of the winners of the Plot-A-Thon 2023 competition!
Canvas Self-Enrollment for Plot-a-Thon Prep
Get a head start! The Plot-a-Thon Prep modules is designed to walk students through the data visualization process that is introduced in the Plot-a-Thon Festival:
By reviewing material ahead of Plot-a-Thon, student will become more familiar with
the expectations of the competition, learn how to use applications like Excel, Tableau,
Python, and R for visualizing, and enjoy the learning process! Self-Enrollment is
available anytime and it's free! 
View the Plot-A-Thon Canvas module
Questions and Website
Questions? Contact us at Plotathon@csuci.edu.
Website: Get updates and more information on the Plot-a-Thon website!
Fall/Spring Plot-a-Thon Events
- Plot-a-Thon Faculty Luncheon on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 12:00pm-1:30pm in Exhibition Hall, Broome Library (Broome 1320): Learn more about Lunch & Learn workshops and the main event. Hear from faculty and students who participated last year! Learn about being a Plot-a-Thon Faculty Fellow or Judge! Seating is limited, and RSVP TBA.
- Plot-a-Thon Faculty Fellow or Judge: Faculty Fellows help recruit students and guide teams to register and prepare for the event. Plot-A-Thon Judges review the final submissions at the end of the main event and usually have two weeks to select winners (late February to March). Faculty and Staff are provided honorariums for their participation. Fill our form to learn more or apply [TBA]. Applications are due Friday, September 25, 2025.
- Plot-a-Thon Student Luncheon on Tuesday September 23, 2025, 12:00pm-1:30pm in Exhibition Hall, Broome Library (Broome 1320): Students can learn more about Lunch & Learn workshops and the main event. RSVP is required!.
Faculty-Led Lunch & Learn Workshops
- Lunch & Learn Data Cleaning with Daniel Lenz (WMC)
Week 7, Date TBA, 12:00-1:30pm in Broome 2325. Free and open to students, staff, and faculty. Registrants can attend in person only. The workshop is available on canvas (Plot-A-Thon modules). RSVP for the Data Cleaning Workshop. - Lunch & Learn Excel with Daniel Lenz (WMC)
Week 8, Date TBA, 12:00-1:30pm in Broome 2325. Free and open to students, staff, and faculty. Registrants can attend in person only. The workshop is available on canvas (Plot-A-Thon modules). RSVP for the Excel Workshop. - Lunch & Learn Tableau with Dr. Kristin Jordan (Sociology, IR)
Week 9, Date TBA, 12:00-1:30pm in the WMC. Free and open to students, staff, and faculty. Registrants can attend in person or virtually. The workshop will also be recorded. RSVP for the Tableau Workshop. - Lunch & Learn Python with Dr. Scott Feister (CS)
Week 10, Date TBA, 12:00-1:30pm in the WMC. Free and open to students, staff, and faculty. Registrants can attend in person or virtually. The workshop will also be recorded. RSVP for Python Workshop. RSVP for the Python Workshop. - Lunch & Learn R with Dr. Issac Quintanilla Salinas (Math)
Week 11, Date TBA, 12:00-1:30pm in the WMC. Free and open to students, staff, and faculty. Registrants can attend in person or virtually. The workshop will also be recorded. RSVP for the R Workshop. - Lunch & Learn Data Storytelling using Infographics with Dr. Sohui Lee (WMC)
Week 2 Spring 2024, Date TBA in the WMC. Free and open to students, staff, and faculty. Registrants can attend in person or virtually. The workshop will be recorded. RSVP for the Data Storytelling workshop for Plot-A-Thon.
The events are managed and supported by faculty and administrators in the The Writing & Multiliteracy Center (WMC), MVS School of Business & Economics, and the Entrepreneurship & Small Business Institute (ESBI), which aims to boost student confidence and interest in data visualization, introduce them to basic skills, and expose them to various ways professionals use data visualization through guest speakers.