Optimize Learning Outcomes

Tallis and teammates looked into relationships between the number of trees near schools and the academic test scores of elementary school students.

In the last few years (2017 – 2019), a number of important and practical neuroscience-based studies of effective school design have been published and several significant design-related resources have been developed.  

Important new resource, free to all
 

Trees in schoolyards have again been linked to improved academic performance. 

Donovan and colleagues investigated how tree cover and road density influence academic performance. 

Flouri and colleagues set out to learn how exposure to nature affects children’s spatial working memory, which has “a strong correlate of academic achievement.” 

Neuroscientists have investigated how school design can boost educational outcomes and the wellbeing of both students and teachers.  Their findings support innovative school design practices, ones that make learning a more pleasant and productive experience.  
 

Linking tasks and illumination

Supporting learning is challenging

Pulay and Williamson investigated the response of pre-K students to LED (light emitting diodes) and fluorescent lighting in classrooms.