Media Contact:
Lisa Wallis
(630) 737-9700
lwallis@aasm.org

Darien, IL – To encourage an interest in sleep medicine at the high school level, the American Sleep Medicine Foundation is sponsoring the 2010 – 2011 ASMF High School Topical Review in Sleep Science Contest. This contest recognizes excellence in the understanding of scientific research and in the preparation of a topical review paper related to sleep.

There is a growing body of scientific literature that explores the relationships between sleep and teenagers. It is increasingly evident that the expansion of technology and its demand on teens’ time has increased the prevalence of sleep deprivation and sleep disorders in this population. Learning more about these relationships may help improve their sleep, health and well-being. With the sleep contest, it is our goal to educate students about this fascinating and complex subject and promote sleep to the next generation of scientists and physicians.
The contest is open to high school juniors and seniors in the U.S. Entrants must be sponsored by their science teacher and must prepare an original topical review paper in one of 12 subject areas. Possible topics of research include sleep deprivation, insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, drowsy driving, and sleep science.
The first-place student and one parent or guardian will receive a three-day/two-night trip to Minneapolis, Minn., where they will attend the SLEEP 2011 25th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC. The contest winner also will receive a $1,000 U.S. savings bond.

Prizes will be awarded for second and third place, as well as for honorable mention. All award recipients will have their paper posted on the AASM website at www.sleepeducation.com. All recognized papers will be considered for publication in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, the official publication of the AASM and a leading scientific journal in the field of sleep.

Entries for the 2010 – 2011 AASM High School Topical Review in Sleep Science Contest must be received by Friday, January 14, 2010. Complete details and a contest entry form are available online at www.discoversleep.org.

The ASMF is a not-for-profit charitable and scientific organization established in 1998 by the AASM. As the leader in supporting sleep research and education, the ASMF has invested in the future of sleep medicine through its grant program supporting the entry of young physicians and scientists into sleep research and academic sleep medicine. The mission of the Foundation is to enhance sleep health for all through research, education and humanitarian aid.
 
For further questions regarding the contest or the ASMF, please contact Lisa Wallis at 630-737-9700, or lwallis@aasm.org.