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.
Monday, April 17, 2023 – Teachers will submit to Asombro a list of their top projects for entry into the final competition.
Tuesday April 25, 2023 – Final competition projects will be dropped off at New Mexico State University.
Thursday April 27, 2023 (evening) – Open house and award ceremony at NMSU.
Congratulations to the 2023 Desert Data Jam winners! Their creative projects are shown below.
1st Place 2023: “How Fast do Leaves Leaf Us? ” by Megan M.
2nd Place 2023: “Decomposition Mission” by Kate S. and Delilah R.
Tied for 3rd Place 2023: “Mammals in the Court” by Soraya K. and Nilasha B.
AND
“It’s Snowing Dust” by Avery L. and Tian Tian G.
 | “Dust do it.” Model Houses Mia I. and Meghan M. |
 | “Holy Guacamole! Animals in the Desert” Infographic Gereardo C. and Gabriel N. |
 | “Daily Mammal Questionaire” Podcast Evelyn B, Emili C. and Ezli R. |
 | “Now You See Me” Quilt Sarah W. |
 | “Coyote Nd Kitfox Activity” Poem Iolani L. |
 | “Dona Ana Dust Collected” Legos Liam D. |
 | “Home is where the Habitat is” Crochet Shaylee W. |
 | “Dust Add Water” Infographic
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 | “Grassland Population Herbivore and Carnivore” Computer game Eli N. |
 | “Launching Leaf Litter” Rap Ethan C. and Quantez R. |
 | “Dust in the Wind” Infographic Liam M., Eli C., and Efil K. |
 | “Don’t Let the Volleyball Drop” Video Emma G. and Alexandra Y. |
 | The Case of Sneezy Dust Pollution Music performance Johnathan N. |
Dr. Kris Havstad addresses students and parents at the Desert Data Jam open house and award ceremony.
First place project “Shrub Shenanigans”, 2018.
Third place project “Connected 4 Wildlife”, 2022.