2026 DIGGS Student Hackathon 🌍⚒️

Welcome to the DIGGS Data Innovation Challenge!

Register Here! https://www.geoinstitute.org/special-projects/diggs

🎯 Mission

Build innovative solutions using the DIGGS (Data Interchange for Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists) standard to transform how we work with geotechnical data.

📅 Event Details

• Start Date: January 5, 2026
• End Date: March 9, 2026 (9-week challenge)
• Format: Open-ended team challenge
• Awards Ceremony: During Geo-Congress 2026 in Salt Lake City
• Support: Weekly DIGGS Team Office Hours
• Objective: Create something cool and innovative with DIGGS data!

🏆 Challenge Themes

1. 📊 Data In/Data Out

Transform how we import, export, and validate DIGGS data. Build converters, validators, or integration tools that make DIGGS data more accessible.

2. 🎨 Visualization

Create stunning visualizations of geotechnical data. Think interactive bore logs, 3D subsurface models, or innovative ways to display soil properties.

3. 🔧 Direct Design/Interpretation

Develop tools that use DIGGS data for engineering analysis, design recommendations, or automated interpretations.

4. 🔄 Data Transformation

Unlock siloed geotechnical data by converting between formats. Ingest legacy files, proprietary exports, and unstructured PDFs into standardized DIGGS—or export to downstream tools like GIS and CAD.

5. 🌐 Cross-Discipline Integration

Connect DIGGS data with other engineering disciplines.

📁 Repository Structure

/
├── README.md (this file)
├── CHALLENGE_BRIEF.md (detailed challenge information)
├── GETTING_STARTED.md (setup and quickstart guide)
├── /data (available January 5, 2026)
│   ├── /sample_diggs_files
│   ├── diggs_database.db
│   └── /schemas
├── /resources
│   └── /documentation
└── /submissions

🚀 Quick Start

1. Choose Your Theme: Pick one or combine multiple themes
2. Review Resources: Check out the /resources folders
3. Access Data: Starting January 5, explore the DIGGS files and SQLite database
4. Need More Data?: Download additional DIGGS files from Geosetta.org or request larger datasets from the Geosetta team
5. Build Something Amazing: Time to get DIGGSing!

See GETTING_STARTED.md for detailed setup instructions.

🛠️ What is DIGGS?

DIGGS is an XML/GML-based data transfer standard for geotechnical and geoenvironmental information. It enables organizations to:

• Share technical data efficiently
• Reduce redundant testing and drilling
• Standardize geotechnical project data
• Save millions in project costs

Learn more at Geo-Institute DIGGS Project

📋 Rules & Guidelines

• Teams can be any size (solo participants welcome!)
• Use any programming language or framework
• Code must be open-sourced to the DIGGS GitHub after the competition
• Solutions must utilize DIGGS data in a meaningful way
• Focus on innovation, practicality, and user experience
• Have fun and learn something new!

🤝 Support & Resources

• Weekly Office Hours: Thursdays at 2 PM ET via Microsoft Teams
• Documentation: See /resources/documentation
• DIGGS Specification: Available in /resources
• Community: Join our discussions and Q&A sessions
• Additional Data: Download DIGGS files from Geosetta.org or contact the Geosetta team to request larger datasets for your project

📝 Submission Guidelines

Submission Deadline: March 9, 2026

Projects should include:

• Working code/application
• Documentation
• Clear explanation of DIGGS data usage

🏅 Awards & Recognition

• Dinner: Sunday March 8th 6:00 pm at The Copper Onion - 111 E Broadway #170, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
• Presentations: Monday March 9th, 2–4pm, Salt Palace room 355E. Each team has 10 min to present, 5 for questions.
• Project Overviews: Tuesday March 10th 12:15pm Exhibit Hall, be there to answer questions!
• Winners Announced: Wednesday March 11th 9:00am in Plenary Room 155

🎉 Let's Build the Future of Geotechnical Data!

Questions? Reach out to the organizing team or attend the weekly DIGGS Office Hours.

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Ready to dig into DIGGS? Let's innovate together! 🚀