From the data page

Note:

• Participants should NOT use latitude and longitude as “predictor” variables in their model. Using these data will create a spatially autocorrelated model that is not applicable to other regions and thus not generalized. The latitude and longitude locations should only be used to query the TerraClimate dataset to understand the environmental conditions surrounding the specific location.
• You may only use the TerraClimate dataset as a source for your “predictor” variables. It is suggested that participants utilize all the TerraClimate variables and consider alterations to the time window or statistical variations of the variables. Also, variable scaling and normalization should be considered.
• Students may use any common machine learning technique. This might include Random Forest, SVM, CNN, or regression variations.