Education
How Daylighting Improves Student Test Scores
A study conducted by the California Board for Energy Efficiency looked at the effects of daylighting on student performance during standardized testing. The study focused on three elementary school districts, analyzing test results for more than 21,000 students in those three districts. A positive correlation was established between higher scores and classrooms with effective daylighting systems.
How We Help Schools
The study offered the following possible explanations for the “uniformly positive and statistically significant correlation between the presence of daylighting and better student test scores in all three districts.”:
- Improved visibility, based on better light quality and illumination levels
- Improved health
- Improved mood and behavior
- A counter to the effects of daylight deprivation
Furthermore, the study found the positive daylighting effects to be distinct from any other attributes of windows.
Health Benefits of Daylighting
With regard to improved health, mood, and behavior, it is well known that daylight deprivation can lead to Vitamin D deficiency, sleep problems, obesity, and may even contribute to cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Our circadian system is directly tied to the timing and quality of light we are exposed to each day, and an imbalance in the circadian system can negatively impact our mood, behavior, energy levels, and overall health. All these factors are particularly important for young, developing children spending the day in our schools.
And it’s not just students who benefit from daylighting in schools. Teachers and other staff are equally impacted by the mood, health, and productivity benefits of improved exposure to natural light. Educational professionals have an incredibly important and often demanding job. When you feel better—mentally and physically, you are better equipped to handle the daily challenges that arise from working in a diverse and social environment. Think back on your favorite teachers and school staff as a child or teen – it’s likely those individuals were happier people all around, and you probably learned more in their classrooms, too. When people feel better, they learn more, teach more effectively, and think more critically. Schools everywhere are creating more enjoyable and productive workplaces for their teachers and staff by incorporating more daylight into their facilities.
Daylighting in Minnesota schools
We’ve worked with dozens of school districts throughout the Midwest to add daylighting to their educational facilities. Some of our installations are placed during new construction stages, though many are retrofitted additions. Read our case studies about daylighting in these educational facilities below!
Turning “Big Box” Spaces into EducationaL Facilities
Our work with the Fergus Falls school district sparked a conversation with the Minnesota School Board Association, and we had the pleasure of presenting alongside Zerr-Berg architects and Minnesota school district superintendents about turning big box locations into academic facilities.
Are there vacant big box facilities available in your community? Download our presentation, “Strategies for Lower Cost School Construction” and learn more about how the adaptive reuse of vacant big box spaces can save school districts millions in construction costs. Reach out to us for more information!
Daylight Specialists Gallery
Explore some of our recent daylight projects:
Contact Daylight Specialists
Daylight Specialists works with K-12 schools, colleges and universities, private institutions, vocational schools, and other academic offices. When we collaborate with your project architects and general contractors, you can be sure that you will have the optimum daylight design and the right product to brighten your facilities for years to come. From the initial consultation, to design, installation, and project management, we handle every aspect of the process ensuring our solutions provide the best environment for learning and retention.
We have many case studies demonstrating the value of daylighting in schools. If you want to learn more about how daylighting can support the health and well-being of students and staff, and improve student test scores and performance, please contact Daylight Specialists today for more information!
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