12/12/2014

Alan Alda Challenges Scientists to Answer: What Is Sleep?

17:22 minutes

Actor Alan Alda created the “Flame Challenge” in 2012 to promote better science communication. Each year, he asks scientists to explain a question that keeps them up at night to 11-year-olds around the world, who choose the winning entry. This year’s question: What is sleep?

Segment Guests

Alan Alda

Alan Alda is an actor and writer. He’s also the host of the Clear + Vivid podcast, and founder of the Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University in New York.

Meet the Producer

About Alexa Lim

Alexa Lim was a senior producer for Science Friday. Her favorite stories involve space, sound, and strange animal discoveries.