Madelyn Johnson Places 3rd at Georgia College Science Fair
Sometimes great research starts with a simple question and maybe a sibling debate. For Madelyn Johnson, seventh grader at FPD, it began with something many families hear often, “I don’t need more sleep.” Instead of arguing, she decided to investigate. Madelyn earned 3rd Place Honors at Georgia College and State University’s 49th Annual Regional Science and Engineering Fair for her project, “How Does Sleep Shape Your Mood?”
The Regional Science and Engineering Fair brings together middle and high school students from across central Georgia to present original research rooted in careful methodology and data analysis. Students do more than explore ideas. They design experiments, control variables, collect data, and defend their conclusions.
Madelyn’s study focused on a question that impacts nearly every teenager. How does sleep affect your mood? “I chose the topic because I thought it was something all teens could benefit from, especially my brother. He is always saying he doesn’t need sleep, so I did this study to prove him wrong" shared Madelyn.
How the Experiment Worked
Madelyn worked with six test subjects. Each participant first provided their regular bedtime so she could build the experiment around their normal routine.
During the experiment week, one day each subject went to bed 45 minutes earlier than usual. The next day was a reset day where they returned to their regular bedtime. Then they went to bed 45 minutes later than usual.
Before the experiment began, participants were instructed not to do anything that would affect their sleep that week in order to keep the results as controlled as possible.
After each day, the subjects documented their observations in Madelyn’s notebook. They recorded whether they felt more tired or more energized, happier or less positive, and noted any changes they experienced.
At the end of the experiment days, Madelyn calculated how many of the six participants reported feeling more energized under each condition. When she averaged the results, she found that participants were 66.7 percent more energized when they got more sleep, which strongly correlated with a better overall mood. From her data, she concluded: Getting more sleep puts you in a better mood.
The Challenge of Keeping It Controlled
“The most challenging part was keeping the experiment controlled,” Madelyn explained. “I had to make sure my test subjects were keeping things the same and not doing anything that would affect their sleep.” Behavioral research can be difficult because people are not as predictable as lab equipment. Maintaining consistency and collecting reliable data requires discipline and attention to detail, something Madelyn handled thoughtfully.
More Than Just a Ribbon
While earning 3rd place is a significant accomplishment, one of her favorite moments came from walking through the fair and seeing what other students had created. “There were some really interesting experiments,” she said. Science fairs are about curiosity, collaboration, and the confidence to present your work publicly. For students who may feel nervous about participating in the future, Madelyn offers this encouragement:
There’s no need to be nervous. Everyone is very welcoming, and as long as you’re prepared, you will leave feeling proud. It’s a great experience.”
We are incredibly proud of Madelyn’s initiative, discipline, and confidence in presenting her research. Congratulations on a well earned accomplishment.