June 4, 2008
54/2008
2008 CensusAtSchool : one month left to go!
With only one month left, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is encouraging all
students to take part in the 2008 CensusAtSchool project.
Thousands of students have submitted the online questionnaire since January this
year, however, the cut off of 4 July is now fast approaching.
This is the last opportunity for students to make their data count and be a part of
building an engaging statistical resource.
The next CensusAtSchool project will be run to coincide with the National Census in
2011.
Ian Wong, a teacher consultant working with the ABS believes that "Students will
have a connection to the survey questions because they have completed it themselves,
which makes CensusAtSchool exercises more engaging than working from
textbooks."
Consisting of 40 questions, the CensusAtSchool questionnaire collects information on
students' lifestyle, personal characteristics and opinions on topical social and
environmental issues.
The responses collected from students will form a large national database that
students and teachers can access to assist in classroom activities and will contain a
wealth of information about students, including their use of technology, attitudes,
eating habits, hours of sleep and much more.
"CensusAtSchool helps students look at statistics not just as dry figures but as a
gateway to discussion and analysis" says Paul Taylor, director of ABS Education
Services. "What better way to get students to explore the world of data and
information than by taking part in the online data collection and analysis project,
CensusAtSchool."
For more information on how to get students involved, visit the ABS CensusAtSchool
FURTHER INFORMATION: Media requests and interviews
Kris Leggo
(02) 6252 5124
0438 501 169
Bernie Fitzpatrick
(02) 6252 5776
0419 876 725
Statistical clarification
Paul Taylor
(03) 9615 7465
0408 658 821
SOURCE: Australian Bureau of Statistics
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