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Digital Detox: Enhance Focus & Sleep

Grade 9BiologyChemistryEnvironmental ScienceHealthArtScience4 days

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The 'Digital Detox' project for 9th-grade students explores the effects of screen time on teenage mental health, focus, and sleep through scientific, environmental, and artistic lenses. Students engage in activities like the Digital Fast Challenge to gain personal insights into digital habits, analyze the biological and chemical impacts of screens, and propose actionable strategies for digital detox. They are further encouraged to creatively express screen time effects through art, deepening their understanding and fostering practical solutions for healthier digital practices.

Screen TimeMental HealthDigital DetoxBiological EffectsArtistic ExpressionChemical ChangesScientific Inquiry

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we measure and understand the biological and chemical effects of screen time on teenage mental health, focus, and sleep, and what creative strategies can we develop to initiate a digital detox?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What are the biological effects of screen time on the human body, particularly in teenagers?
How do chemicals produced by screen use affect mental health and sleep?
What environmental factors contribute to screen time habits and how can they be mitigated?
In what ways does art convey the impact of screen usage on mental and physical health?
How can scientific methods be applied to measure screen time's impact on focus and sleep quality?
Why is digital detox important for maintaining mental and physical health?
What practical strategies can individuals implement to reduce screen time and improve quality of life?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will investigate the biological impact of screen time on teenagers' mental health and sleep.
Students will develop a chemical understanding of compounds released during extended screen time and their effects.
Students will evaluate and propose strategies using environmental science concepts to mitigate screen time habits.
Students will apply scientific methodologies to measure screen time's effect on focus and sleep quality.
Students will use artistic expression to convey the impacts of screen usage on mental and physical health.
Students will explore and articulate practical digital detox strategies to enhance overall well-being.

Next Generation Science Standards

HS-LS1-3

Primary

Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.Reason: Understanding the biological effects of screen time on human body, particularly on homeostasis processes.

HS-PS1-4

Secondary

Develop a model to illustrate the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system.Reason: Explores how chemicals produced by screen use affect mental health and sleep, relevant to understanding energy changes within the body.

HS-ESS3-4

Primary

Evaluate the impact of human activities on natural systems.Reason: Screen time impact as a result of human activity affecting mental health and sleep, bridging environmental science with mental health.

Common Core Standards for Mathematics

HSS.IC.B.6

Supporting

Evaluate reports based on data.Reason: Students analyze statistical reports on screen time impacts, reflecting mental health outcomes.

National Health Standards

HealthEd-Analyze Influences

Primary

Analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media on health behaviors.Reason: Relevant for understanding factors contributing to screen time habits and strategies for digital detox.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Digital Fast Challenge

Kick off with a 'Digital Fast Challenge' where students are asked to voluntarily give up all screens for 24 hours and document their experiences. This immersive experience will provide a direct connection to how screen-time impacts mental health, focus, and sleep, sparking curiosity about the science behind these effects.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Digital Experience Journal

Students will document their experiences during a 24-hour digital fast, reflecting on how the absence of screens affected their mental state, focus, and sleep. This activity intends to ground students in real-world experiences, providing personal insights for further exploration and understanding of digital influence on health.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Begin the Digital Fast Challenge by abstaining from all screens for 24 hours.

2. Maintain a journal throughout the fast, noting changes in mental state, focus, and sleep when screens are unavailable.

3. Reflect on journal entries to identify patterns or surprising outcomes post-fast.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA personalized journal reflecting on the impact of screen abstinence on mental health, focus, and sleep.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with HealthEd-Analyze Influences by helping students understand personal and external influences on their digital habits.

Activity 2

Chemical Detective: Understanding the Screen-Induced Chemistry

Students will explore and model the chemical changes in the brain induced by prolonged screen use. They will research the biochemical pathways affected by screen time and illustrate how these changes can impact mental health and sleep.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research the chemical compounds released during screen use, focusing on those affecting dopamine release and circadian rhythms.

2. Develop a conceptual model illustrating the biochemical changes due to screen exposure.

3. Explain how these changes might impact sleep and mental focus in a presentation or report.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive model and report on the chemical effects of screens, demonstrating understanding of biochemical principles.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses HS-PS1-4 by modeling the energy changes from chemical reactions related to screen time.

Activity 3

Biological Response Analysis: Screening Focus and Sleep

Through this activity, students will conduct an investigation into how screen time biologically affects the human body's ability to focus and sleep. By comparing pre- and post-screen time conditions, students will learn about homeostasis and feedback mechanisms.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Plan an experiment to observe changes in heart rate and alertness before and after screen exposure.

2. Collect and analyze data on these physiological changes, noting any effects on focus and sleep patterns.

3. Use the data to explain how screen time disrupts homeostasis, presenting the findings to peers.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed report on physiological changes during screen exposure, highlighting the disruptions in homeostasis.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets HS-LS1-3 by demonstrating how feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.

Activity 4

Environmental Impact Reflection: Bridging Nature and Digital

Students will evaluate the environmental factors that contribute to screen time habits and the broader implications for mental health. They will propose adjustments incorporating environmental science concepts to mitigate these habits.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Investigate environmental factors, like lighting and device settings, which influence screen time.

2. Develop proposals on how to modify these factors to promote healthier screen habits.

3. Create an awareness campaign or public service announcement incorporating findings and proposals.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA thoughtful proposal and campaign on modifying environmental factors to improve screen time habits.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports HS-ESS3-4 by evaluating human impact on natural systems and mental health.

Activity 5

Artistic Expression: The Screen's Tale

In this creative activity, students will use art to express the effects of screen time on mental and physical health. By conveying emotions and experiences visually, they can promote awareness and inspire others to consider digital detox strategies.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research the mental and physical impacts of screen time through interviews or surveys.

2. Create an art piece (e.g., painting, digital art) reflecting personal or observed experiences related to screen time.

3. Present the artwork with a narrative explaining the concept and the desired message.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn expressive art project depicting screen time impacts, accompanied by a narrative explanation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLinks to HealthEd-Analyze Influences and artistic exploration of health behaviors.

Activity 6

Strategic Detox Plan: Crafting a Future Path

Students will synthesize their findings and creative expressions to develop a comprehensive digital detox plan personally applicable and potentially beneficial to peers.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Reflect on previous activities and insights gained about the impact of screen time.

2. Design a personalized digital detox plan incorporating learned strategies and wellness approaches.

3. Share the plan in a workshop format with peers, exchanging feedback and additional strategies.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA practical and personalized digital detox plan, emphasizing enhanced well-being.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with HealthEd-Analyze Influences by implementing understanding into personal health behavior strategies.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Digital Detox Portfolio Rubric

Category 1

Scientific Inquiry and Analysis

Evaluation of students’ ability to conduct investigations, analyze data, and apply scientific methods related to screen time effects.

Criterion 1

Investigation Design

Assessment of students’ proficiency in designing and conducting experiments to investigate screen time effects.

Exemplary

4 Points

Designs thorough and innovative investigations that comprehensively explore screen time's effects on health.

Proficient

3 Points

Designs effective investigations addressing core questions about screen time's impact.

Developing

2 Points

Designs basic investigations with partial exploration of screen time effects.

Beginning

1 Points

Designs incomplete or flawed investigations with minimal exploration.

Criterion 2

Data Analysis

Evaluation of students' ability to interpret and analyze data collected during investigations.

Exemplary

4 Points

Analyzes and interprets data with exceptional insight, drawing well-supported conclusions.

Proficient

3 Points

Analyzes data and derives logical, evidence-based conclusions.

Developing

2 Points

Interprets data with some inconsistencies in logic or conclusion accuracy.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to interpret data or draw valid conclusions.

Category 2

Creative and Artistic Expression

Assessment of creativity in conveying the impact of screen time through the arts.

Criterion 1

Artistic Representation

Evaluation of how well students express the impact of screen time creatively and meaningfully through art.

Exemplary

4 Points

Creates highly original and emotionally impactful interpretations of screen time's effects, showing clear intent and message.

Proficient

3 Points

Produces meaningful and thoughtful artistic representations that convey screen time’s effects.

Developing

2 Points

Creates representations with some clarity in intent and message but lacks originality.

Beginning

1 Points

Produces artwork with unclear or undeveloped interpretations of screen time effects.

Category 3

Personal Reflection and Practical Application

Evaluation of students’ ability to reflect on their experiences and apply insights to develop practical solutions.

Criterion 1

Reflective Writing

Assessment of students’ depth of reflection and personal insight about screen time impacts.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides profound personal reflections with insightful connections to broader implications.

Proficient

3 Points

Offers honest reflections with clear connections to personal and general implications.

Developing

2 Points

Shares basic reflections with limited connections and insight.

Beginning

1 Points

Provides superficial or unsupported reflections lacking depth.

Criterion 2

Practical Solutions and Plans

Evaluation of students' ability to develop and propose actionable strategies based on learned content.

Exemplary

4 Points

Develops comprehensive, innovative digital detox strategies that are extensively researched and feasible.

Proficient

3 Points

Proposes well-researched and practical digital detox strategies applicable to many.

Developing

2 Points

Proposes basic strategies that may lack thorough research or feasibility.

Beginning

1 Points

Offers vague or impractical strategies with little basis in research.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on your experience during the Digital Fast Challenge. How did abstaining from screens for 24 hours affect your mental health, focus, and sleep?

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Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how effective do you feel your Digital Detox Plan will be in reducing your screen time and improving your mental well-being?

Scale

Required

Question 3

Which environmental factors did you find most influential in your screen time habits, and how might you adjust them to promote healthier viewing practices?

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Required

Question 4

In your Artistic Expression project, what message did you wish to convey about the effects of screen time, and how did you represent it visually?

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Optional

Question 5

What new insights did you gain about the biological and chemical effects of screen time on the human body through your investigations?

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Required

Question 6

Reflecting on the entire project, what was the most surprising thing you learned about screen time and mental health?

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Required