Science ExplanaJam 2024
2024 ExplanaJam Winners
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
1st place Jack L Explaining Fear (Elizabeth Westendorf)
2nd place Joyce L Static Electricity (Tiffany Cullen)
3rd place (tie) Leo L Sickle Cell (Scott Lenhert)
3rd place (tie) Selah W Bioluminescent Waves (Cheryl Cleary)
MIDDLE SCHOOL
1st place Ajit S Moon Phases (Andrew Arthur)
2nd place Adrianna M and Katelyn P Why Can't Dogs See the Same Way We Do (Thomas Herrera)
3rd place Tessa Q Moon Phases (Andrew Arthur)
HIGH SCHOOL
1st place (tie) Emma H What Makes a Musical Note In Tune? (Paul Fang)
1st place (tie) Talia G Prince Ruperts Drop (Pooja Gupta)
SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Climate Change Video Cole S, Dominic S, Gabriella M, Olivia R Why Do Corals Bleach in Warm Water? (Kathy Griffis)
Creativity Award Sultana A, Spencer D, Mia H, Amelia M Velvet Worm Trial (Salvador Garcia)
Congratulations to all the Winners!
What is ExplanaJam?
CSUN Science Learning Collaboratory is looking for students to explain science phenomena. We are holding a contest to see who can do the best explanations.
Win Prizes just for talking! 3 Minutes Maximum
Each class holds its own explanation contest with the top three students moving on to the final competition.*
Registration open Now - link
Check out the Contest Rules and the Prizes
* Each teacher makes the rules for their own class and submits up to 3 for the judging
short link to this page - bit.ly/csunexplanajam
Here's a sneak peek of some of this years prizes!
Contest Timeline:
March 8 - Registration Open
If registering multiple classes (periods), fill out the form separately for each one
Deadline to register May 18th (extended)
April-May - Students make their videos. Classes pick top 3.
May 22 - Submission Portal Opens (Teachers submit top 3 in their classes)
May 31 - Last day for teachers to submit top 3 videos
June 8 - Winners Announced
What is A Phenomena?
To be eligible for the prizes an explanation must identify and explain a science phenomena. But what is a phenomena?
Natural phenomena are observable events that occur in the universe and that we can use our science knowledge to explain or predict. The goal of building knowledge in science is to develop general ideas, based on evidence, that can explain and predict phenomena.
Explain your phenomena by answering the question - Why does this happen?
Herr's video: What is a phenomenon [5:01]
Herr's video: Collecting videos of student explanations in FlipGrid [5:28]
Want Inspiration? Check out the past winners
2023 ExplanaJam Winners
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
1st place Charlotte W. Black Holes (Susan Convirs)
2nd place Jackson C. Maritius Underwater Waterfall (Susan Convirs)
3rd place Grace A. How you get a cold (sick) (Venus Burnley)
MIDDLE SCHOOL
1st place Maya G. Shooting Stars (Kjersten Troxel)
2nd place Mila L. Denmark Straight Cataract (Sandra Columbus)
3rd place William J. Underwater Communication (Ms. Hannah Oh)
3rd place Zuo-Cheng Hu The Mystery of Racetrack Playa (Ruth Gramajo)
HIGH SCHOOL
1st place Guadalupe S. Refraction (Pooja Gupta)
2nd place Jonathan L. Goosebumps (Clarissa Barr)
3rd place Madison H. Elysia Chlorotica (Erin Brinton)
SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Climate Change Video Natalie M. Climate Change (Shirley Caballero)
Best Art Award Helen O. Cockroach Phenomenon (Mimi Nguyen)
See more winning videos - Past Winners
ExplanaJam is sponsored by the CSUN Science Learning Colaboratory
and by donors to the CSUN Fund page - thank you!
