The CensusAtSchool 2011 questionnaire from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) was officially opened on 24 January. CensusAtSchool is a free, online questionnaire and analysis tool for students in Years 5 to 12, conducted nationwide to provide real data relevant to students.

'Previously CensusAtSchool was run every second year, but from now on it will be annual,' said Christine Sergi, ABS Director of Statistical Capability Development. 'This will help teachers plan more effectively, especially as the new Australian curriculum is implemented across the country'.

CensusAtSchool is available free to all Australian schools. ‘My students loved filling in the questionnaire and then comparing themselves to their peers around the country and overseas', said Wanda Colvin from Broome Senior High School, 'I’ll definitely get my classes to participate again this year'.

Previous questionnaires attracted over 200,000 student responses that can currently be accessed through the Random Data Sampler. 'This provides a rich source of statistical data and an engaging way to teach statistical concepts,' said Jean Arnott, specialist teacher consultant with the ABS. 'As 2011 is also a census year in Australia, the CensusAtSchool questionnaire is a great way to raise awareness of what the census is and why it is so important'.

'With the data collected in CensusAtSchool questionnaires, we’ve designed an extensive range of resources that can be applied right across the curriculum,' Jean said. 'As well as being completely free of charge, CensusAtSchool resources are an easy and interesting way of increasing the statistical literacy of Australian school children'.

Key Dates:

• 24 January - questionnaire opened
• 8 July - data collection phase ends
• 9 July - 2011 data available