LTER Data Jams are events for K-12 school students where they work with scientists and LTER data managers to study their local environment, analyze data and present their results in unique ways for a general audience. Students in previous LTER Data Jams presented their data by building dioramas, writing song lyrics and more traditional scientific poster presentations. LTER Data Jams are an exciting and unique space for LTER scientists to work with local students and making scientific research and data accessible to a broader audience.
Previous LTER Data Jams
Luquillo LTER/CZO Schoolyard Data Jam
Students use ecological data collected at the El Yunque National Forest by the Luquillo Critical Zone Observatory, Luquillo LTER and USGS Water to create a project that presents the data in a non-traditional way. An important component of the activity is encouraging students to get creative. Project examples include children’s books, raps, videos, models, presentations, and infographics. Students will present their project at the Luquillo LTER Schoolyard Symposium hosted by the University of Puerto Rico in May, 2017.
The Desert Data Jam
The Desert Data Jam is a unique competition that challenges students to make creative projects (such as songs, physical models, children’s stories, infographics, and games) that convey complex ecological data to nonscientists. In this sixth year of the Desert Data Jam, more than 400 students participated. The top five projects from each participating class were entered into the final competition held at New Mexico State University from April 25-27. Forty-four community judges, including many LTER scientists, carefully evaluated the projects, and the top 15 projects were honored.
North East Shelf Data Jam
Making data sing so everyone can tell their stories: The North East Shelf is looking for new, creative ways to share the science of the region. Data Jammers will immerse themselves in authentic, locally relevant data sets that have been collected in and around the region by professional scientists. Whether they create a graphic, song, video, sculpture, computer game, puppet show, or children’s book, their imagination is the limit!
Read more to learn how to participate in the 2019 Northeast US Ecosystems Data Jam competition, view previous award winning videos, learn about teacher and student resources and much more.
