Sequoia Middle School Students Named National Finalists for Bright Schools Competition

Six Sequoia Middle School teams were chosen as national finalists for the Bright Schools Competition, which is a collaborative effort of the National Sleep Foundation and the National Science Teachers Association. The competition encouraged students in grades 6-8 to explore the correlation between light and sleep and how it influences student health and performance.

 

All six Sequoia teams were named as one of 50 national finalist teams among a total of 170 teams made up of nearly 550 students from 63 schools. The top teams will be announced on May 2. The complete list of finalists can be found online at brightschoolscompetition.org.

 

The six Sequoia teams are:

Team 1: Technology Triplets: Sydney Ayon, Sierra Mitchel, and Chloe Weaver

Team 2: Troublesome Two: Kiyah Ramirez and Abigail O’Bosky
Team 3: Snooze Squad: Libby Adriaansen, Jake Buckley, Abby Lee, Kamilla Rosales
Team 4: Snoozers: Zack Aqra, Maddy Chapman, Emily Short, and Kristen Watson
Team 5: Mari Sanders and Meera Kashyap
Team 6: Devin Patel and Matthew Cunanan

“The National Sleep Foundation is encouraged to see so many students interested in how light directly affects their sleep and academic performance,” said David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “We congratulate the finalists on their innovative ideas and thoughtful projects. These students, teachers and parents will help bring about change in the way institutions view lighting and overall health."  

Under the mentorship of an adult coach/teacher, teams of two to four students identify, investigate, and research an issue related to light and sleep as it pertains to their community and/or young adolescents. Using scientific inquiry or engineering design concepts teams develop a prototype, create an awareness campaign, or write a research proposal for the competition. Each team then submits a written report detailing their project along with a three-minute video showcasing their investigation. Projects are evaluated on the basis of several criteria, including scientific accuracy, innovativeness, and potential impact. 

“Congratulations to all of the national finalists who competed in the competition this year,” said NSTA Executive Director Dr. David Evans. “We are extremely impressed with the quality of work and innovative ideas these students have exhibited as they explored science and found ways to benefit their communities and society as a whole.” 

All students who enter the competition will receive a certificate of participation. Students on the first-place national winning team will each receive a cash prize of $5,000; second place students will receive $2,500; and third-place students will receive $1,500. The coach/teacher of the first place team will also receive a prize package, including Vernier Middle School Probeware, an all-expense paid trip to an NSTA conference, and membership to NSTA. The second-place coach/teacher will receive an all-expense paid trip to an NSTA conference and membership to NSTA, and the third-place coach/teacher will receive membership to NSTA and a $500 gift certificate to use in the NSTA Science Store.