Desert Data Jam

2012 marks the 100th year of New Mexico statehood and the 100th year of ecological research at the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range. During the last century, Jornada scientists have collected thousands of data sets related to the management of land resources in the southwestern U.S. The Desert Data Jam Competition is a unique experience that allows high school students to use their creativity to summarize one or more of these data sets and create products that can be used to present data to nonscientist audiences. During the spring 2012 semester, teams of high school students will create visualizations and other products using data sets from the Jornada Experimental Range. The projects will be judged on their creativity and ability to convey the main conclusions of the data to nonscientists. Projects will be on display at the 17th Wildland Shrub Symposium in Las Cruces from May 22-24, 2012.