The purpose of this experiment was to test the effects of blue light on high school students reading retention. Since the 1970's, research has been performed on the effects blue light has on humans (Plitnick, B., et al. "The Effects Of Red And Blue Light On Alertness And Mood At Night." Lighting Research & Technology 42.4 (2010): 449. Advanced Placement Source. Web. 9 Mar. 2016.). From these findings, it has been concluded that blue light suppresses the sleep hormone melatonin. Blue light is absorbed through the optic nerve and sent into the brain where the pineal gland is located. The pineal gland then secretes the melatonin, which helps control a person's sleep and wake cycles.

In this study, two groups of high school chemistry students were used, the control group, under white light at 3500K, and the experiment group, under blue light at 6500k. The two groups were given a set of notes on an area they had not studied. They read for 10 minutes, then the notes were exchanged for a quiz on the topic they had read about. There was also a survey attached to the quiz asking the students 4 questions on their age, gender, grade last semester, and how many hours of sleep they received the night prior. I hypothesized Students under blue light will have higher test scores than students who do not receive due to the its stronger ability to suppress melatonin

The data in this experiment was collected through grading the tests to see if there was any difference in the average between classes. The individual student data was then compared to their gender, grade, and hours of sleep. This study suggests that blue does suppress melatonin, but it is not optimal for student study, but rather to wake up students and prep them to learn. In a more recent study performed by Acuity Brands found that blue light at 5700K and beyond is not optimal for the highest focus level. Th light not only suppresses melatonin, but also energizes students. They concluded that white light at 3500K is optimal due to the fact that it does contain blue light, but not at the high intensity as blue light at 6000K so it has the awakening ability as blue light, but not the energising ability. My findings suggest the same conclusion due to the fact that the white light group at 3500K scored a higher mark than the blue light group at 6000K.

This project is the first of many to try to implement the benefits of light into the education system.