ExplanaJam 2026 Winners Announced!

Science ExplanaJam 2026

Explanajam 2026 Winners

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

1st place Bubonic Plague - Quinn E, Arbor F & Golda S (Ms. Murray, Franklin Avenue ES)
2nd place Optical Illusions - Abhi C (Ms. Cossey, Granada Hills Charter TK-8)
3rd place Immortal Jellyfish - Katherine H & Adeline I (Ms. Cossey, Granada Hills Charter TK-8)

MIDDLE SCHOOL

1st place Why Ice Expands - Jian T (Mr. Arthur, La Canada MS)
2nd place Mentos and Soda - Leo B & Grayson S (Ms. Inglish, Paul Revere MS)
3rd place How Cakes Rise - Devin G & Anders A (Mr. Matsubayashi, Paul Revere MS)

HIGH SCHOOL

1st place Le Chatlier Principle - Alice C, Eliana H, Manya G, & Tanweshi P (Ms. Kim, Van Nuys HS)
2nd place Banana Extinction - Matthew C (Ms. Masterson, Kennedy HS)
Tie 3rd place Northern Lights - Steven T, Joseph N, Jishnu P, Tyler M (Ms. Kim, Van Nuys HS)
Tie 3rd place Why Does Your Voice Sound Different In Recordings? - Valentina M (Mr. Fang La Canada HS)

SPECIAL AWARDS

Best Climate Change Video

1st Place Permafrost - Amelia P, Abigail K, Bryan C, George N, Dylan C (Ms. Kim, Van Nuys HS)
2nd Place Ancient Viruses - Annamarie A (Mrs. Columbus, Our Lady of Assumption)

Professor Dave Debunking Prize

1st Place Is menstrual cycles bluetoothing a myth? - Hailey O, Jazmin Z, and Laylah A (Mr. Paskowitz, Narbonne HS)
2nd Place Cracking Knuckles - Ruby M & Sylvia W (Mr. Garcia, Sherman Oakes CES)
3rd place Bone Smashing - Peter L (Ms. Brinton, Cleveland HS)

We scored over 160 videos based on submissions from 61classes (over 600 videos total were created for this contest). Thanks to all the judges who donated their time and to the teachers that make this happen.

What is ExplanaJam?

Every year the CSUN Science Learning Collaboratory holds a contest to see which students excel at explaining science (NGSS SEP 6). Students create videos for their classes and teachers* nominate the best videos for judging.

Win Prizes just for talking! 3 Minutes Maximum

Ask your teacher if your class is participating.

Registration has closed

Check out the Contest Rules and the Prizes

(NEW: Prof. Dave Explains Science Disinformation Debunking Prize - details)

* 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

Want Inspiration? Check out videos from past winners

Here's a sneak peek of some of this years prizes!

Contest Timeline:

March 10 - Registration Open

If registering multiple classes (periods), fill out the form separately for each class
Link to Registration
Deadline extended May 12

April-May - Students make their videos. Classes pick top 3.

April 17 - Teacher Q&A about ExplanaJam 4pm (zoom registration)

May 14 - Video submission Portal Opens (Teachers submit top 3 in their classes)

May 28- Last day for teachers to submit top 3 videos

June 4 - Winners Announced

Phenomena Links

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]

What is A Science Disinformation?

This year we have added a prize for debunking science misinformation. Social media is awash with scientific claims, some valid and some are bogus. Here are some examples (these are all false!):

Of course there are still the classics like vaccines are dangerous and climate change is a hoax and even the earth is flat. Step 1 is to identify the claim. What are they saying is happening? Then research the phenomena and the evidence to see what is really going on. And check out the motivations: Why would they say this? Create a 3 minute video explaining the claim and what the science says.