The Big Sleep Survey 2010

THE COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. HOWEVER, YOU CAN STILL DO THE SLEEP DIARY ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR CLASS.

This is a week- long science experiment, starting on a Monday and finishing on Friday.
 
Students record what time they went to bed and what time they woke up each day. On Friday, average the data to get the results. Students can talk about what their results mean. 
 
Students aged 11 and over are allowed, and encouraged, to do the online Big Sleep Survey 2010 as individuals. The sleep scientists are particularly interested in teenagers and how their sleep needs change as they grow up.

The following content is intended as a guide for teachers of secondary school students, and can be used partially or in its entirety. Not all of it will be appropriate for each year level and should be used at the teacher’s discretion.

Note: This activity & competition is not connected with the citizen science component of the Big Sleep Survey. No indivdual data on any child will be collected.

HOW TO DO IT 

• Print out a copy of the Kid's Sleep Diary for each student.
• Start the experiment on a Monday.
• If age appropriate, each student  fills in the Experiment Worksheet
• Ask each student to take the Kid's Sleep Diary home and each night write in what time they went to bed, and each morning, write in what time they woke up. 
• During the week, have as many discussions as you like about sleep and science – see discussion ideas for ideas.
• On Friday, each student needs to bring their Kids Sleep Diary back to school.
• Depending on the age and ability of the students, either the students work out the average number of hours they sleep each night, or you do it!
• Talk about the results.

HANDOUTS 

DISCUSSION IDEAS