01
Choose your next move.
Explore an eligible course, badge, certification or project. Start where you are and build from there.
Two semesters. Your next step.
MISTACHALLENGE
Build skills. Make an impact.
Turn what you learn into something you can show. Earn points for courses, credentials and real analytics work, one achievement at a time.
Open to every Butler majorFall + spring roundsData4Good achievements welcome
Your fall milestone
Earn your
Butler badge.
Build a record of what you have learned and accomplished. Earn a custom participation badge you can share on your LinkedIn profile.
100approved points
2+distinct outcomes
Earn the Fall 2026 MISTA-INFORMS Challenge participation badge by accumulating at least 100 approved points from two or more distinct eligible accomplishments during the fall challenge.
- Choose any combination of eligible activities. All points may come from one category.
- A paid certification is optional.
- Submit evidence for review by the fall deadline.
The badge recognizes verified participation. Receiving it adds no competition points.
The challenge
Make your
progress count.
Choose a goal that matters to you. MISTA membership and Data4Good registration are optional. Butler students compete individually, team projects are welcome, and invited guests can participate.
02
Do the work. Save the proof.
Keep your certificate, issued badge, finished poster or project link. Team members explain their contribution.
03
Submit. Get credit.
Send one achievement for review. Approved points build your semester score. Reach the fall badge milestone with 100 points from two or more distinct accomplishments.
The leaderboard
The work adds up.
Follow approved achievements across the semester. Every course, credential and project is another step forward.
Your next achievement belongs here.
The leaderboard will appear when submissions open and the first review is complete. Explore the catalog and start building your next achievement.
Explore ways to earnIf the report does not appear, use “Open full leaderboard” above. Restricted reports may require an authorized Google account.
Earn points
Choose your
next achievement.
Build a pathway around your interests. Open an activity to see the evidence and limits. All values below are proposed club points.
DataCamp course10points
Evidence to submitA completion certificate or verified course-completion record for a full DataCamp course.
What to knowEach unique course counts once. Chapters, streaks and repeated courses do not earn separate points.
INFORMS Business Problem Framing badge20points
Evidence to submitThe issued Business Problem Framing badge or a verifiable completion record.
What to knowOnce per unique learning outcome, whether earned through Data4Good or another approved route.
Microsoft AI-901 certification50points
Evidence to submitA verified Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals credential or an official passing result for AI-901.
What to knowPreparation may count separately. Exam registration, vouchers and retakes do not add points.
Analytics project or competition analysis50points
Evidence to submitThe completed analysis, its business question, results, supporting files and limitations. Add your contribution for team work.
What to knowMaximum two distinct projects per round. The work must pass the published artifact review.
Data4Good or equivalent analytical poster30points
Evidence to submitThe finished poster as a PDF or accessible link, with supporting analysis and your team contribution.
What to knowMaximum two distinct project posters per round. A draft, cosmetic revision or reupload of the same poster does not qualify again.
Data4Good or equivalent analytical pitch20points
Evidence to submitA completed pitch video or verified live analytical pitch, with the project identifier and your contribution.
What to knowMaximum two distinct project pitches per round. The same presentation occurrence cannot also receive A04 points.
DataCamp skill or career track0 extrapoints
Evidence to submitA track certificate and the list of its completed courses.
What to knowEarn points for eligible courses you have not already claimed. The track itself adds no extra points; shared courses count once.
Another approved full course10points
Evidence to submitAn issued completion certificate or provider record, plus the course title and outline.
What to knowRequest approval for unfamiliar courses. Each distinct full course counts once.
Microsoft Learn learning path20points
Evidence to submitA completion record for the full approved learning path, including its constituent modules.
What to knowUse the path points or eligible individually listed courses, never both for the same learning.
AWS Academy course30points
Evidence to submitA course-completion certificate or verified completion badge.
What to knowOnce per approved course. Access, enrollment and exam vouchers do not earn points.
SAS certification preparation30points
Evidence to submitCompletion evidence for a substantial, approved SAS exam-preparation course.
What to knowOnce per approved preparation course. A separately passed certification exam can also count.
INFORMS Leading in Analytics badge30points
Evidence to submitThe issued Leading in Analytics completion badge or verified completion record.
What to knowCompletion is required. Registration or attendance alone is not the badge.
SAS Foundations of Cloud Analytics Knowledge Badge30points
Evidence to submitThe official issued SAS badge or verification link.
What to knowOnce per unique badge. This learning credit is separate from an assessed professional certification.
SAS AI Foundations Knowledge Badge30points
Evidence to submitThe official issued SAS badge or verification link.
What to knowOnce per unique badge. Do not also claim its constituent training as the same learning outcome.
Databricks Fundamentals badge10points
Evidence to submitThe issued Databricks Fundamentals badge or verifiable completion record.
What to knowOnce per unique badge.
Databricks Generative AI Fundamentals badge10points
Evidence to submitThe issued Generative AI Fundamentals badge or verifiable completion record.
What to knowOnce per unique badge.
Databricks AI Agent Fundamentals badge10points
Evidence to submitThe issued AI Agent Fundamentals badge or verifiable completion record.
What to knowOnce per unique badge.
CAP-E preparation course or completion badge30points
Evidence to submitEvidence that the approved CAP-E preparation course was completed.
What to knowAn access invitation or voucher earns no points. Preparation and passing the CAP-E certification exam are separate outcomes.
Foundations of Data Ethics20points
Evidence to submitCompletion evidence for INFORMS Foundations of Data Ethics or an approved equivalent.
What to knowOnce per unique approved learning outcome.
Data4Good or club webinar + reflection5points
Evidence to submitAttendance confirmation plus the required quiz or a short learning reflection.
What to knowMaximum four qualifying webinars and 20 points per round.
Another official Data4Good partner badge10–30points
Evidence to submitThe official issued badge, its requirements and a verification link.
What to knowAsk for the exact point value before claiming. The club must approve and publish the activity tier; an existing catalog badge cannot be claimed twice.
Microsoft AZ-900 certification50points
Evidence to submitA verified Microsoft Azure Fundamentals credential or official passing result.
What to knowShares the cloud-foundations credit group with AWS Cloud Practitioner. Both credentials may be recorded, but receive foundations points once.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner50points
Evidence to submitThe verified AWS credential or official passing result.
What to knowShares the cloud-foundations credit group with AZ-900. Both credentials may be recorded, but receive foundations points once.
Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate50points
Evidence to submitThe verified MOS Excel Associate credential or official passing result.
What to knowShares the foundational Excel credit group with the equivalent club skills check.
Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert75points
Evidence to submitThe verified MOS Excel Expert credential or official passing result.
What to knowAn advanced level distinct from Excel Associate. The equivalent advanced club check does not earn duplicate points.
SAS Machine Learning Using SAS Viya certification75points
Evidence to submitThe verified SAS Certified Specialist credential or official passing result.
What to knowPreparation can count separately. Training completion alone is not certification.
Certified Analytics Professional Essentials (CAP-E)75points
Evidence to submitThe verified CAP-E credential or official passing result.
What to knowThe certification exam is distinct from the preparation course. Access or eligibility alone earns no points.
Another approved assessed certification50–75points
Evidence to submitThe official credential and its assessment requirements; eligible DataCamp certifications may qualify.
What to knowObtain approval of the exact credential and point value in advance. Course-completion badges belong in learning.
Foundational club skills demonstration50points
Evidence to submitA reviewer-approved result from a fresh, supervised practical task in an announced skill family.
What to knowClinic dates and available skill families are to be confirmed. No duplicate points for an equivalent certification in the same family and level.
Advanced club skills demonstration75points
Evidence to submitA reviewer-approved result from a fresh advanced task, including validation and a decision explanation.
What to knowClinic details are to be confirmed. Previously scored projects cannot be reused as skills checks. These are club points, not industry certifications.
Campus, conference or client presentation20points
Evidence to submitAn event program, organizer confirmation or presentation record. Data4Good finals presentations can qualify.
What to knowMaximum two distinct events per round. A new URC presentation of an earlier poster can count; the poster itself earns points only once.
Substantial project extension20points
Evidence to submitThe earlier and revised work, plus an explanation of the new analysis, method or decision application.
What to knowOnce per project per round, beyond the scope already credited under A01. Formatting changes alone do not qualify.
Professional portfolio + reflection10points
Evidence to submitAn organized portfolio and a reflection explaining what you learned and how you would discuss the work professionally.
What to knowOnce per round. Link the achievements to their existing project identifiers.
Verified mentoring10points
Evidence to submitA brief account of the help provided and confirmation from the participant or organizer.
What to knowMaximum three claims. Mentoring and workshop/service points together are capped at 40 per round.
Workshop or analytics service20points
Evidence to submitOrganizer confirmation, the activity materials and a description of the work delivered.
What to knowMaximum two claims. Combined with mentoring, contribution credit is capped at 40 points per round. An officer title alone earns no points.
No activities match yet.
Try a broader term or clear the filters. You can also ask the club to approve a new achievement.
A course and its completion badge count once. Preparation and a separately passed exam may both count. Ask for approval before claiming an unlisted activity or a variable point value. Read the scoring rules.
Two rounds. Two fresh starts.
Make a plan for
your semester.
Proposed dates for 2026–27. Your completion date determines the round, even if you submit the evidence later.
Fall 2026
Round 01- Earn points
- Aug. 26–Dec. 23, 2026
- Club launch
- Oct. 26, 2026
- Submit evidence
- Jan. 8, 2027By 11:59 p.m. Eastern
- Final results
- Jan. 22, 2027Recognition at the next club meeting
Spring 2027
Round 02- Earn points
- Dec. 24, 2026–Apr. 16, 2027
- Club relaunch
- Jan. 11, 2027
- Submit evidence
- Apr. 18, 2027Deadline time to be confirmed
- Recognition target
- Apr. 26, 2027
Fall work completed before the launch can qualify. Winter-break achievements completed after December 23 count toward spring. A new presentation of an earlier poster can earn presentation points; the original poster earns creation points only once.
Keep your progress moving
Earn it.
Share it.
Keep growing.
Completed something you are proud of? Keep the evidence and submit one achievement at a time. Your points appear after review.
- A certificate, issued badge or accessible artifact link
- The activity title and its completion date
- Your contribution, if the work was a team effort
Submit an achievement
Your next points
start here.
The submission form is not open yet. Save your evidence; the Tally form link will appear here when submissions open.
Update my points Submissions opening soonHave a question? Contact the clubA few good questions
Find your
way in.
Start with a goal, an activity and a little curiosity. These answers explain how the proposed challenge works.
Ask the clubDo I need to be a MISTA member or enter Data4Good?
No. Butler students from any major and degree level may participate. MISTA membership and Data4Good registration are optional. Invited guests may also participate. Individual scores can include eligible team achievements.
Can I submit work completed for a class?
Yes, when it meets the same evidence requirements and falls within the eligible dates. Indicate that it was completed for a course. Fall accomplishments completed before the October launch can qualify, beginning August 26, 2026.
What evidence should I keep?
Keep the certificate, issued badge, verification link, final artifact or organizer confirmation. Reviewers must be able to open it. For a team project, include a brief contribution statement and use the same project identifier as your teammates. Remove unnecessary personal or exam-account information.
Can several teammates earn points for one project?
Yes. Each contributing team member can earn the full listed artifact points after providing a contribution statement. Use a shared project identifier. The project, its poster and a separate pitch are different outcomes, each with its own evidence requirements.
Can the same achievement count more than once?
A course and its completion badge count together. Courses shared across tracks count once, and a track certificate adds no extra points. Preparation and a separately passed certification exam may both count. Retakes and reuploading the same certificate or artifact do not earn additional points.
What happens to fall work in the spring?
Scores reset for spring while your achievement record remains. A new live presentation or a substantial project extension can qualify under its own code. The original course, certificate or poster cannot be claimed again. Work completed from December 24 onward belongs to the spring round.
Do I have to pay for an exam to compete?
A paid certification is optional. Courses, badges and analytical work offer other ways to earn points. Free foundational and advanced club skills clinics are proposed, with dates and available skill families still to be confirmed. These demonstrations award club points, not an industry certification.
How do I get DataCamp or other learning access?
Ask the club for the current invitation, eligibility and expiration details. Data4Good participants may use their existing approved competition access. A catalog listing or Data4Good pathway tag does not guarantee free access to every provider or exam. See the Data4Good program (opens in a new tab) for its published opportunities.
How do I earn the Fall 2026 participation badge?
Earn at least 100 approved points from two or more distinct eligible accomplishments during the fall challenge. Points may come from any category, including a single category. A paid certification is optional. Submit evidence for each accomplishment by the fall deadline. Once your achievements are verified, you qualify for the badge, which you can share on your LinkedIn profile. Receiving this badge adds no competition points. See the badge and an example pathway.
Will my certificates or project evidence be public?
Evidence is for private review. The scoreboard uses your chosen name or alias; you may also opt out of public listing without losing participation badge eligibility. Sharing a project or poster publicly requires separate permission.
When will points appear, and can I request a correction?
Points appear after review and the scoreboard refreshes. If information is missing, reviewers will ask for it. Contact the club promptly about corrections or appeals, and follow the final cutoff for your round. See the proposed review and appeal dates.
Scoring, review & participation badge rules
Participation & evidence
- All Butler students enrolled during the relevant round may participate, regardless of major, degree level or club membership. December graduates remain eligible for the fall participation badge.
- Invited alumni, faculty and external students may also participate.
- Coursework is eligible. Identify whether it was required coursework, an optional extension, independent work or part of another program.
- Submit evidence reviewers can access. Each contributing team member can earn the full listed artifact points, with a shared project identifier and an individual contribution statement.
- Follow each activity’s AI-assistance rules, disclose material assistance, verify the results and be able to explain your work.
Fair scoring
- Each round is capped at 150 learning points, 150 skills points and 200 applied points, for a total of 500. Per-activity limits also apply.
- A course, its completion badge and overlapping track credit are one learning outcome. Choose the eligible bundle or constituent-course route, never both.
- Preparation and a separately passed exam can both count. Equivalent exams and skills checks in the same skill family and level share a credit group. A fresh higher level can qualify.
- A project, poster and separate pitch may earn distinct points. The same presentation occurrence cannot earn both pitch and presentation points.
- Do not reclaim the same achievement in a later semester. A substantial extension or a new presentation can qualify under its own code.
- Mentoring and workshop/service credit together are capped at 40 points per round. Payment, access, vouchers, exam retakes, officer titles and competition placement earn no extra points.
Artifact review & free skills routes
Projects and posters are reviewed on five criteria, scored 0–2 each: problem and decision clarity, appropriate evidence and analysis, reproducibility or traceability, communication, and limitations or responsible use. Approval requires at least 7/10 and no zero for evidence or traceability. Approved work receives the fixed catalog points.
Foundational and advanced club skills checks are proposed free routes. Clinic dates, skill families, assistance rules and assessment criteria must be announced before they are available. A skills check uses fresh work, not a project already awarded applied points. These checks award club points, not industry certifications.
Review, corrections & appeals
Claims are reviewed for evidence, completion dates, duplicates and limits before points are awarded. Officers cannot approve their own claims. The faculty adviser handles conflicts and appeals. Badge eligibility is confirmed after the required achievements are approved.
Request corrections promptly. Appeals are due within five business days of the decision, subject to the final round cutoff. Proposed fall provisional results: January 15, 2027; appeal cutoff: January 20; final results: January 22. Proposed spring provisional results: April 21; appeal cutoff: April 23; recognition target: April 26. Final deadline times will be published before launch.
Fall participation badge
Earn the Fall 2026 MISTA-INFORMS Challenge participation badge by accumulating at least 100 approved points from two or more distinct eligible accomplishments during the fall challenge. Points can come from any category, including a single category. A paid certification is optional.
Only verified, nonduplicated achievements within the fall eligibility window count, subject to the published activity and category limits. Team members provide an individual contribution statement. Submit evidence by the fall claim deadline. Badge eligibility does not depend on your leaderboard position. Earning this badge adds no points to your score.
Privacy & your achievement record
Evidence is for private review. Do not include addresses, exam account details or other unnecessary personal information. Public standings use your chosen name or alias; you may opt out of public listing without losing participation badge eligibility. Public sharing of a project or poster requires separate permission.
Scores reset for spring while the achievement record remains. Challenge points express participation incentives and are not a validated measure of ability.