Plot Potluck

Purpose

Plot Potluck is a light‑touch activity designed to:

• Practise data analysis and visualisation skills.
• Build confidence with different tools.
• Spot data‑quality issues in real datasets.
• Learn from colleagues through shared results.
• We have slightly more fun.

How it works

• Everyone receives a different random file from the archive
• Spend a little time exploring whatever is inside
• Create one plot or share any interesting observation
• Post your result in the #data_support_services Slack channel

Your contribution can be a chart, a quirky anomaly, a weird pattern, or simply “What on earth is this file?”

Rules of Engagement

• Keep it light: Spend no more than one hour
• Use any tools you like: Does not have to be Python
• Any insight counts: A simple plot is great, but any observation is welcome
• Low pressure:
  • “No time this month” is a perfectly acceptable submission
  • “I couldn’t even begin to open this file” is also valid!
• Not a competition:
  • Though optional yearly awards like “Coolest Plot”, “Weirdest Analytical Process”, or “Most Unexpected Dataset” could be fun