One hundred and five Baden Academy students were part of an official judging panel for the 2017 Flame Challenge.  The is organized by the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. It asks scientists to explain concepts proposed and judged by 11-year-olds. The person who provides the best answer wins. This year’s challenge is “What is Energy?”

The international contest is now in its sixth year. The Flame Challenge is judged by 11-year-olds around the world, challenging scientists at every level – from graduate students to senior researchers – to answer and communicate familiar yet complex concepts in a way that is understandable to an 11-year-old. Entries can be submitted in written or visual format.

The Flame Challenge began in 2011 when Alda, an actor and science advocate, proposed to scientists his childhood query: What is a flame? Since then, children have submitted thousands of questions, out of which the contest questions have been selected. In 2015, scientists wrestled with “What is sleep?” In 2016, they took on “What is sound?”

Teachers at Baden Academy, including Dr. Ellen, Mrs. Houston, Mr. Bowser, Ms. Cook, and Miss Iorfido had students participate.