Desert Data Jam
The Desert Data Jam is an annual competition hosted by the Asombro Institute for Science Education in partnership with the USDA’s Jornada Experimental Range. It challenges middle school students to find creative ways to present scientific data collected in our region to non-scientist audiences. We encourage students to get creative and find inspiration in their own interests. Past creative projects have included children’s books, songs, videos, physical models, infographics, games, and more.
Asombro educators work with students four times in their classrooms. They are also available throughout the project to answer questions.
Click the tabs above to see last year’s winning projects.
To learn more about the Desert Data Jam and other Data Jams across the country, check out some of the publications on the topic:
“Data Jams” on the LTER Network
Contact us to learn more and find out how to participate.
Monday, April 14, 2025 – Teachers will submit to Asombro a list of their top projects for entry into the final competition.
Tuesday April 22, 2025 – Final competition projects will be dropped off at New Mexico State University.
Thursday April 24, 2025 (evening) – Open house and award ceremony at NMSU
Congratulations to the 2024 Desert Data Jam winners! Their creative projects are shown below.
1st Place 2025: “Leaf it to Robots” by Angela P.
2nd Place 2025: “A Beaded Desert” by Kira H.
3rd Place 2025:
“Rabbits in Action!” by Maliyah R. and Gaby T.
 | “A Tail’s Tail” Paper mache Coyote, tail length represents animal detections Maddison S.C. |
 | “An Udderly Hot Desert?” Baseball Simulation Braxton L., Ephrem S., Noa S. |
 | “Leaf Litter-ally Matters” Diorama Jewel R., Sophia S. |
 | “Herbivore Habitats” Infographic Kira S. |
 | “The Race of Decomposition” Race car model Faith G. |
 | “Over Heating- A Big Cow-tastrophy” Crochet Cows Leilani W., Addyson L., Roxanna P. |
 | “Bring the Heat” Volleyball infographic Alexie M. |
 | “Shrubbin Around” Paint Splatter Infographic Kristen T., Athena S., Isabel V. |
 | “Cooling Down Cows” Horse model Maddison G. |
 | “Coding Dust Emissions” Quiz game
Jackson Y., Jazmine S.-L. |
Dr. Kris Havstad addresses students and parents at one of the earliest Desert Data Jam award ceremonies.
First place project “Shrub Shenanigans”, 2018.
Honorable Mention “Moo-sical Cow”, 2024.