Attention NMDSI affiliated students at UWM and Marquette:

The Connected Systems Institute (CSI) and Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute (NMDSI) have partnered with Rockwell Automation, Microsoft, and Northwestern Mutual in benefit of Discovery World (DW) for an incredible hackathon opportunity for UW-Milwaukee and Marquette student teams to compete for $10,000 in prizes by building data dashboards for Discovery World’s Dream Machine.

This opportunity is a great fit for students interested in data visualization, data science, analytics, and dashboard design (Power BI or similar tools). Ready to sign-up for the DW Hackathon? Jump to the team application form linked here.

What You’ll Do

As a UWM or Marquette student, you are invited to form a team of five students to tackle a real-world data visualization challenge centered on data from Discovery World’s Dream Machine (video in link) – a kinetic sculpture powered by sensors, motors, and real-time information. From February 13 - 27, 2026, the selected teams will work with Dream Machine data on Microsoft Fabric in leveraging modern analytics tools, while collaborating with industry mentors from Microsoft, Rockwell Automation, or Northwestern Mutual, presenting their final work in-person at Discovery World on 2/27. As a team you will design and build interactive dashboards that transform Dream Machine data into actionable insights for Discovery World museum visitors. The best data designs may be used in the actual exhibit and seen by thousands of visitors each year.

Who Should Apply

Any UWM or Marquette students with interest in analytics, data visualization, or dashboard development. Knowledge or skill with Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, or a comparable modern analytics stack would be beneficial. Experience analyzing large real-time data sets is a plus but not required.

Students that are prepared to work together collaboratively in team-based problem-solving, using agile project methods.

Any students from data science/AI, business, technology, or analytics backgrounds, interested in making real-world impact through delivering data-driven solutions.

Registration is open to any UWM or Marquette students of any major or year. Team registration is preferred, however, individual and teams less than five are also welcome to apply.

Note, the application is competitive, with only 10 teams (5 from each university) who will be selected to participate. Individual or teams less than five persons, may be blended with other applicants.

Timeline, Commitment, and Logistics

Student team application: January 20 to February 1 (midnight)

Team selection: By February 4

Hackathon Kickoff Event: February 13 (evening, in-person Dream Machine exhibit) at Discovery World

Team meetings and coaching sessions: throughout February 13 to 27 (in-person & virtual as teams prefer)

Hackathon Finale Event: February 27 (evening, in-person presentations) at Discovery World

How to Join

If you are interested in forming a team, or joining a team, for a chance at $10,000 in prizes as part of the Discovery World Dream Machine Hackathon please apply here: application form linked here.

Apply by midnight on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Please reach out to nmdsi@northwesternmutual.com with any questions.

Thank you for considering this academic, industry, and community hackathon which will showcase the intersection of creativity, analytics, and education! We look forward to reviewing your application!