Hudson Data Jam is an opportunity for students in grades 6-12, plus families, to explore ecological datasets, creatively communicate the stories they tell, and win cash prizes. Write a song, record a video, create a book, paint a mural – your imagination is the limit!
 
This year’s Hudson Data Jam will be 100% virtual. Students can work individually, or your whole family can work as a team. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top middle school, high school, and family projects. Register by April 16 to participate. 
 
Whether you are new to Data Jam or a seasoned participant, all are invited to our upcoming 'Data Jamming: Creatively Sharing Science Stories of the Hudson Valley' webinar series for teachers, parents, caregivers, and interested students. Join these free webinars to learn more about the Hudson Data Jam competition, plus tips for engaging and supporting students as they develop questions, explore their local environment, and communicate what they find.
 
Each webinar will feature an expert guest speaker, active participation, and the opportunity to interact with fellow Data Jammers. All webinars will include ample time for Q+A. See a full list of webinars below. 
 
Upcoming Webinars:
February 16: Welcome to Hudson Data Jam – Bess Caplan, Education Program Leader at Baltimore Ecosystem Study
February 18: How to Engage & Support Students – Karen Bodnar, Science Teacher at Irvington Middle School
February 23: Diving Into Data - Part 1 – Miriam Straus, Science Teacher at Longfellow Middle School
February 25: Diving Into Data - Part 2 – Shelly Forster, Former Education Program Leader at Cary Institute
March 2: How to Tell a Science Story with Art – Bowie Zunino, Co-Director of The Wassaic Project, a nonprofit arts community and education space
March 4: How to Tell a Science Story with Infographics – David Wong, Community Art and Design Programs Manager at The Art Effect
March 9: Advanced Graphing & Data Interpretation – Alan Berkowitz, Head of Education at Cary Institute
 
Learn more and register for webinars.

The Competition
Each Data Jam submission is judged by a panel consisting of a scientist, an artist, and an educator. Cash prizes are awarded to the top middle school, high school, and family Data Jam projects.
 
The Data
Scientists are collecting data around us all the time. Hidden in those numbers are stories that reveal how the world works. Are birds arriving earlier in the spring? How does salinity shape fish diversity in the Hudson River estuary? Students can access these and many more ecology datasets online. Datasets fall into three levels of complexity: 1 - easy, 2 - moderate, and 3 - challenging. Cary educators can help students select an appropriate dataset; email Ashley Alred at alreda@caryinstitute.org for assistance. 
 
Family Data Jam
The 2021 Hudson Data Jam Competition will be 100% virtual. To help facilitate, Cary Institute educators will be offering informational webinars for parents, caregivers, students, and educators. The ‘Family Data Jam’ category allows K-12 students and their family members to work on a project as a team.
 
Deadlines & Dates
April 16 – Competition registrations and parent/guardian consent forms due
April 30 – Project submissions due online by 11:59pm EST
May 21 – Virtual Data Jam Expo and Awards Ceremony, 5-7pm EST, to be held via Zoom
 
We invite all Data Jammers to visit our Hudson Data Jam Facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/HudsonDataJam
 
If you have questions, email Ashley Alred at alreda@caryinstitute.org, or message us through our Hudson Data Jam Facebook page.
 
Thank you to our generous Data Jam supporters: Adams Fairacre Farms, Central Hudson, M&T Bank, The Chazen Companies, and Price Chopper's Golub Foundation.

 
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is an independent nonprofit center for environmental research. Since 1983, our scientists have been investigating the complex interactions that govern the natural world and the impacts of climate change on these systems. Our findings lead to more effective management and policy actions and increased environmental literacy. Staff are global experts in the ecology of: cities, disease, forests, and freshwater.