Week 1 This marks the beginning of the DataFirst program. Faculty members are invited to submit their project proposals, outlining the data science challenges they'd like to address in collaboration with students. It's an opportunity to set the stage for innovative and meaningful projects. The projects proposed should be semester-long projects where students spend a maximum of 10 hours a week.

Week 2 The kickoff meeting serves as an introduction to the available projects. Faculty members present their proposals to the students, providing insights into the challenges and objectives. It's a moment of inspiration and project exploration.

Week 3 After the kickoff meeting, students are encouraged to apply for the projects that align with their interests and skills. They have one week to submit their project preferences, indicating which projects they'd like to work on.

Week 8 Faculty members review the student applications and provide valuable feedback. This step ensures that students are matched with projects that best suit their abilities and interests. Faculty guidance plays a crucial role in this process. Thenm DataFirst co-chairs make student assignments based on faculty feedback and student preferences.

Week 8 About halfway through the semester, student teams present their midterm progress. These presentations provide an opportunity to assess the direction of the projects, make adjustments if needed, and showcase the initial results.

Week 15 The culmination of the DataFirst program, student teams present their final project outcomes. This is a moment of celebration and reflection on the data science journey, highlighting the solutions and insights gained through their hard work and collaboration.