The 2026 SCAG Student Showcase challenges students to create posters and StoryMaps that illustrate the possibilities of open data to tell compelling stories, provide insights, and showcase plans and projects. The 2026 SCAG Student Showcase offers unparalleled opportunities for students to demonstrate their expertise to a large, influential network of skilled practitioners and future colleagues.
2026 Student Showcase finalists will receive complimentary event registration, hotel accommodation, and admission to SCAG’s 2026 Regional Conference and General Assembly in Palm Desert on May 7-8, 2026. At the conference, participants will present their posters and StoryMaps to elected officials and industry leaders from across Southern California. Over 900 attendees are expected at the event.
A panel of judges will select one poster and one StoryMap for the “Best in Show” award. During the conference, attendees will also vote for a poster and StoryMap to be recognized with an “Audience Award.” All four awards, each worth $1,500, will be announced at the end of the conference.
COMPETITION DATES
The following due dates apply to both the Poster Challenge and the StoryMap Challenge.
- Application Opens: Jan. 26, 2026
- Final Projects Due: March 12, 2026, at 10 a.m.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
- Sustainability – Promotes sustainable practices such as emissions reductions, land use and transportation integration, natural resource conservation, resilience, active transportation, energy efficiency, and housing.
- Innovation – Introduces a new concept or challenges and improves upon current planning processes.
- Transferability – Includes strategies and concepts that can be applied to different locations or programs.
- Feasibility – Has realistic potential to be implemented.
- Presentation – Demonstrates excellent writing, visualization, and overall organization.
Eligible submissions include any applied projects or research. Students may submit a poster and StoryMap to the competition; however, they may only be selected as a finalist for either a poster or StoryMap.
For guidelines and additional information, please visit the SCAG website.