MILLBROOK – The Hudson River Valley has been intensely studied by scientists for decades. Yet despite the tremendous discoveries made about the Hudson, many of the river’s science stories are not well known by the people who call the Hudson Valley home. The skills of understanding, interpreting, and presenting data are essential in a world where scientists’ ability to collect data outpaces their ability to make it understandable for a public audience. To address these issues, Cary Institute educators are challenging middle school and high school students to creatively tell the stories of Hudson Valley environmental data in the fifth annual Hudson Data Jam competition.
This competition is open to all middle and high school students interested in science and/or art. Hudson Data Jam participants will hone their data interpretation, communication, and teamwork skills while gaining a better understanding of their local environment. Students can work individually or as part of a team, and must have an adult coach. Last year, two hundred and two students from twenty schools participated in the Data Jam. Projects explored everything from deer populations to water chemistry using video, song, dance, poetry, visual art and more.
Registration forms are due April 29; final project submissions must be received by May 20. Teams that register by February 2 will qualify for a classroom Data Jam workshop with a Cary Educator. Projects will be judged by a panel of scientists, educators, and artists, with cash prizes awarded to the top middle school and high school projects.
Projects will be displayed for the public and winners will be announced at the Hudson Data Jam Expo. The Expo will be held at Cary Institute’s Conference Center on June 12 from 5:00-7:00. To see examples of creative science-based stories and last year’s winning projects, visit the Hudson Data Jam on the Cary Institute’s website (http://www.caryinstitute.org/students/hudson-data-jam-competition.)
If you have any questions about the Hudson Data Jam, please contact India Futterman at caryeducation@caryinstitute.org, or call (845) 677-7600 x 190.
You can keep abreast of Hudson Data Jam news and deadlines by liking ‘HudsonDataJam’ on Facebook.
The Hudson Data Jam was made possible in part through funding from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund through the Hudson River Estuary Program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Marist College and Central Hudson are helping to sponsor the event.
