Building Oceanhackweek: a week of data science, hacking, collaboration and more

Computational and data science skills have become essential in making scientific discoveries, especially in fields where the integration of diverse sources of data and models is required to understand the mechanisms and functions of complex systems, such as the Earth’s oceans. However, conventional ocean sciences education focuses predominantly on domain-specific knowledge and often falls short in explicitly incorporating these skills into the curriculum. Oceanhackweek aims to address this critical need by combining immersive tutorials on state-of-the-art data science methodologies, peer-learning, and on-site collaborative project work in an intensive workshop.

The goal of this presentation is to enable similar approaches to data science education to be adopted at other institutions. We will share the lessons learned from organizing three separate ocean sciences-related hackweeks hosting ~150 participants from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, and will discuss our approach to application selection, curriculum planning, project facilitation, and cyberinfrastructure support that enabled participants to engage in hands-on tutorials and project work. The three hackweeks differed from one another in focus and scope, which created corresponding differences in the organization process and the participants.

All Oceanhackweek tutorial materials are maintained as persistent online resources to allow anyone to partake and self-learn. We encourage and empower participants to bring the skills gained and the sense of community formed during the hackweek back to their own labs and institutions. By facilitating and catalyzing the growth of individual scientists through grassroot efforts, the ultimate goal of Oceanhackweek is to drive cultural change in the field of oceanography.