St Hilda’s Collegiate year 12 student Megha Senthilkumar, 16, stunned judges last year with her nationwide study on how sleep affected adolescent students aged 11 to 18, surveying 249 schools across New Zealand.
This year she broadened her study to cover about 100 schools across Asia, including India, Thailand and Japan, as well as New Zealand and Australia.
She was awarded the Aurora Energy Best in Fair award at the Otago Science and Technology Fair both years.
She could not believe she had won again.
"I didn’t think it would really happen but since this project is an important issue it makes me happy to bring light to it.
"I believe sleep and wellbeing is very important. We are the leaders of tomorrow and we need to make sure we have the best quality of sleep."
Megha spent five months collecting data by emailing about 1500 principals across Asia and Australasia.
She used a bigger survey than last year, with 29 questions incorporating a range of new factors, including physical activity and cultural and social matters.
Despite all factors including region, age or gender, an increased amount of physical activity led to better emotional wellbeing and sleep.
Additionally, time spent scrolling on social media had worse effects on emotional wellbeing and sleep than other activities such as reading a book on a device.
"I think it’s definitely an area that needs more research," she said.
She had also started applying her research to her own wellbeing.
When she noticed the clock ticking past 10.30pm studying for her chemistry test yesterday she decided to go to sleep.
"Last night I was like maybe I should start sleeping, maybe that will be better for me."
Premier award winners
Aurora Energy Otago Science and Technology Fair
Megha Senthilkumar Sleep & Emotional Wellbeing in Adolescence; year 12, St Hilda’s Collegiate. Premier — Aurora Energy Best in Fair
Reina Wilkinson Tuia te Here Tangata; year 7, Dunedin North Intermediate. Premier — Marine Studies Centre Best Year 7-8
Jenny Petegem Thach Game Theory; year 11, Taieri College. Premier — New Zealand Oil and Gas Most Promising Year 9-13 Scientist
Blake Chalmers Allelopathy in common New Zealand plant species; year 9, John McGlashan. Premier — Niwa
Hebe Jong Sniffing out Success; year 11, Columba College. Premier — OSTA General Excellence
Juliet Lyall Sniffing out Success; year 11, Columba College. Premier — OSTA General Excellence
Matthew Petegem Thach Blob vs Goo; year 10, Taieri College. Premier — The Otago Institute for Arts & Sciences for Excellence
