LCPS students showcase science, creativity during Desert Data Jam competition
More than 300 Las Cruces middle school students participated in the 2025-26 Desert Data Jam science competition.
More than 300 middle school students participated in the regional event hosted by the Asombro Institute for Science Education
LAS CRUCES - More than 300 Las Cruces Public Schools middle school students recently participated in the 2025-26 Desert Data Jam, a regional science competition hosted by the Asombro Institute for Science Education.
The annual competition challenges students to analyze scientific data collected in southern New Mexico and creatively present their findings. This year’s event took place April 22-23 and included 336 seventh-grade students from Picacho Middle School, Sierra Middle School, White Sands Middle School, Zia Middle School and J. Paul Taylor Academy.
Students began working on projects in January using real-world scientific datasets collected in the region, according to LCPS. The top 41 projects advanced to the final competition, where 42 volunteer judges evaluated the entries.
“This competition gives students the opportunity to think critically, collaborate and communicate scientific concepts in ways that are engaging and accessible,” Dr. Stephanie Hofacket, LCPS director of teaching and learning, said in a statement.
First place went to Selva Balali and Evelyn Aguirre of J. Paul Taylor Academy for “Holy Cow! The Heat is Rising,” a physical model demonstrating cow body temperatures.
Ian McCloskey of White Sands Middle School earned second place for “Adapt to Change,” a habitat model featuring coyotes and jackrabbits.
Two Sierra Middle School teams tied for third place with projects titled “A Slice of the Wild” and “Coyote Catastrophe.”
LCPS said additional honorable mention projects included stop-motion animation, poetry, music composition and board-game-inspired presentations.
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