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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 27: Alan Alda attends the "Sylvia" opening night at Cort Theatre on October 27, 2015 in New York City. D Dipasupil/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY == Image Credit: AFP

Alan Alda says he’s “all ears” for scientists to answer a question for him and 11-year-old children around the world: What is sound?

That’s the challenge being posed in the 2016 “Flame Challenge” contest, which asks scientists to explain complicated concepts in ways young people can understand.

Stony Brook University announced the challenge on Monday. The actor teaches at the Alan Alda Centre for Communicating Science at the Long Island school.

The TV and film star started the challenge in 2011, which has explained time, colour, and of course, what is a flame.

Scientists have until January 19 to submit entries in either written or video form. Eleven-year-olds will judge the entries.

The winner in each format gets $1,000 (Dh3,672.)