The Northeast U.S. Shelf Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute is again hosting Data Jam, a competition in which teams of middle- or high-school students graph, analyze, and interpret a set of data (already gathered by Woods Hole scientists) and creatively present their findings as a compelling, data-based story that is communicated to the general public through art, music, dance, or other medium of expression. The competition is available in three different levels: Easy, Moderate, and Challenging. Each team needs a teachers or other adult as an advisor, and advisors must register their interest. Projects must be submitted online by February 15. For more information, see the Contest Essentials page or contact Annette Brickley at abrickley.edu@gmail.com.

The MIT Museum is offering a series of Hands-On Science for Families programs to be done at home by families (ages 11+). Each program runs for three consecutive weeks and includes three one-hour virtual sessions with an MIT Museum Educator, all the supplies needed for projects and challenge activities, and online access for discussion and questions while working on projects between sessions. There’s a maximum of 8 families per program, so sign up soon via these links:

• Imaging Science: How to use mobile cameras to capture high-speed events, the tiniest macro details on everyday objects, and more.  December 2-22 with live sessions 7PM-8PM on December 2, 9, and 16. Register by November 18. $90 per family.
• (Circuit) Board Game Design:  Designing a game, programming a microcontroller, and testing it with other families.  February 3-23, 2021 with live sessions 7PM-8PM on February 3, 10, and 17. Register by January 25. $70 per family.
• Crashing and Folding — Lunar Lander Challenge: Build a prototype lunar lander with origami, paper circuits, and mechanical engineering.  March 31 – Apr. 20, 2021 with live sessions 7PM-8PM on March 31, April 7, and 14. Register by March 22. $70 per family.

Engineering is Elementary (EiE), the curriculum development program of Boston’s Museum of Science, is developing Engineering at Home activities for families with children in ages 4-11, to encourage families to communicate, collaborate, and solve problems as an engineering team. EiE is now seeking families to test one of these activities for free and provide feedback. The activity guides are written for parents and assume no prior experience in engineering. The materials used are inexpensive and easy to acquire. Apply here.

Massachusetts STEM Week is October 19-23, and the Metrowest STEM Education Network has compiled a list of STEM events for the week.

The Wellesley Education Foundation is celebrating STEM Week — and raising funds for STEM education — by offering residents a wide range of clever STEM lawn signs in return for donations.

The K-12 MakerLab team at the MIT Edgerton Center seeks to recruit 15 to 20 high-school students to try out a new, online extracurricular workshop, DIY Musical Instruments, before it is released to the public. It takes place on four afternoons, during which students explore how musical instruments make sound, then tinker with materials, then invent an original instrument, and finally use it in a collaborative sonic art project. The workshop is free, entirely remote, and will take 8 hours:  4PM-6PM on October 19-22. Go here to get permission forms and apply by 12PM on October 15. For more information, email Diane Brancazio at dianeb@mit.edu.

The MIT Museum has a job opening for a Curiosity Consultant — full-time and temporary with the expectation of renewal based upon continued funding. Curiosity Consultants handle all aspects of creating video segments about MIT research, academics, culture, and events for use by 70,000 students worldwide. Examples are on the Curiosity Consultants’ YouTube channel. A bachelor’s degree, preferably in a STEAM field, and two years relevant experience are required. Yes, this is an opportunity to make STEAMy videos.

The Mass. STEM Advisory Council is working with organizations across the state to offer seven design challenges for schools and after-school programs to undertake for Mass. STEM Week, October 19-23. Optionally register your interest with the state and click on each design challenge to learn more and get links to the website for each challenge.