Alan Alda is asking us to answer the question, "What's a flame?", in a way that an 11 year old will understand and perhaps even enjoy. All entries will be judged by a group of 11 year olds (my favorite part) . If you win you get VIP tickets to the World Science Festival in New York in June, along with a Flame Challenge T-shirt, and the gratitude of a nation of 11-year-olds.

Click here to learn more about the challenge and to submit your entry. Even if you decide not to submit your answer, just trying to answer the question so a kid will get it; will make you a better science communicator-- I promise.