The Science of 

Happiness Project

Background Context: 
After several challenging weeks in quarantine, and perhaps more than 
ever before, we find ourselves with more time to contemplate some of life’s 
philosophical nuances. Take the notion of happiness, for example. Happiness 
has been a big deal for several decades of human history. But, what is 
happiness, anyway? Everyone has their own idea, and it usually has to do with 
wealth, fame, or success of some sort. What is happiness for you? And, do you 
think it’s important to be happy or are we too hyper-focused on it? 
 
Essential Questions:  
● What is happiness and what are different cultural 
perceptions of it? 
● How can happiness be understood scientifically? 
● What is the role of happiness in global pandemic? 
 
During this project you will: 
 
1. E
​ xplore​ different perspectives on happiness t​ o create​ your own happiness 
philosophy. 
2. ​Develop and execute​ your own happiness experiments using the scientific 
method and create art to show your experiment data. 
3. P​ resent​ your philosophy and art in an online exhibition of learning. 
How are we going to do this project online? 
 
You are taking the lead in how and when you learn.  
Each Monday, I will post a full week’s worth of assignments, plus a few other 
great resources that you can explore if you want to take your learning deeper. 
All assignments unless otherwise noted are due by Friday at 4:00pm. 
 
You will have a small group to help you.  
You will participate in small groups via email to share and explore ideas. 
Unlike projects that we do in-person, this small group is there for connection 
and support. You will not have to rely on your small group to do each week’s 
assignments. Look for a group email from me later this week! 
 
Online work submission. 
You will submit your assignments using Google Forms and emails. If you are 
ever confused about how to submit your work, just email me directly and 
we’ll figure it out together 
 
NOTE: Over the next 2 weeks, during our content building phase, you will 
read at least 2 articles per week that I will provide and submit a journal 
response through Google Forms about each article.  
 
One-on-one support. 
I will be available with online office hours every day using Google 
Hangouts/Meet from 10:00AM-12:00PM if you need a live explanation or want 
to chat about what you’re doing. You can email to set up for an appointment 
or just “stop by.” If you can’t meet with me during office hours, you can email 
me any time with questions. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assignments For Week 1: April 22-24 (Wed-Fri)  
DUE FRIDAY 4/24 by 4pm! 
 
1. DO: ​Take the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire 
Calculate your score and email it to me. Include a short note about 
what you thought or felt when taking the test and seeing your results. 
How do you think quarantine is playing into this? After you email me, I 
will email you back with how taking the test made me feel! 
 
2. WRITE: Happiness Reflection #1 
How do you define happiness? What do you think makes for a happy 
life? Try to write out your own philosophy of happiness, and what 
makes a happy life.  
 
Try not to worry about the form of your writing, but do include details 
and specifics. What would a happy life look like? How would it feel? 
What sorts of habits would someone have to practice? Would it matter 
what kind of environment someone lived in? Why or why not?  
 
Say, too, where your ideas about happiness came from. What in your 
own life makes you think this is what it means to be happy? Was it 
something you learned from someone else or read in a book? Include 
as many details as you can. 
 
3. READ: ​American are becoming less happy, and there’s 
research to prove it  
 
Then, try out the J
​ ournal Response Submission Form.