Eco-Friendly Spaces for Learning

How Eco-Friendly Spaces Encourage Learning and Creativity in Schools

About 15 million children across 67 nations are engaged in eco-schools, indicates a report by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Studies show that eco-friendly schools have a significant impact on lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Eco-friendly schools reduce energy costs and improve both the student and teacher health. With children spending two-thirds of their time in classrooms, it’s vital to construct green buildings to encourage learning and creativity.

Here are some of the benefits of having an eco-friendly learning environment:

Eco-Friendly Spaces Promote “Green” Learning

Having eco-friendly spaces in learning facilities provides the best way to teach children about the importance of a sustainable environment and how they can preserve it. It includes teaching them about ways they can save energy and how they can work towards a greener future. Incorporating eco-friendly sustainability goals and initiative at school can have a significant impact on the student’s critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. They will be able to see the practicability of what they are learning in books. Besides, it can make them realize that they too can make a difference in the world by conserving the environment.

Improves Scores and Better Student Achievements

Studies reveal that students studying in green schools are healthier, more engaging and produce better test grades than their counterparts. These are results of factors such as cleaner air, natural lighting, and reduced noise pollution among many. Students are less likely to fall ill while studying in the eco-friendly environment and as a result, absenteeism reduces. With the school experiencing high-class attendance, the students get to finish their syllabus ahead of schedule and are likely to perform well. An eco-friendly learning space provides a better teaching and learning environment for both the teachers and students.

Better Ventilation

For the better part of the day, teachers and students spend most of their time inside the learning facilities - proper ventilation is crucial. Research shows that adequately regulating exposure to indoor environmental factors such as poor air quality prevents more than 65% of respiratory-related illnesses in students. Setting up energy recovery ventilation equipment not only minimizes air contaminants coming into the premises but also saves the school funds by reducing energy usage from heating ventilating systems and air conditioners. Having green building measures in school designs improves air quality and cases of respiratory-related illness such as asthma and allergy problems.

Eco-Friendly Schools are Good for the Community at Large

Having eco-friendly spaces in schools provides students with opportunities to learn and embody eco-friendly initiatives. As students learn about eco-friendly activities in school, they can pass the knowledge to their parents and peers back at home, and as a result, the environment improves. Eco-friendly schools also bring together the education sector and community in promoting a sustainable green environment. These efforts promote a greener community at large.

Embracing an environmental-friendly lifestyle is something that everyone should strive to achieve. Parents should be role models for their children. With natural resources at peril, taking care of the environment is critical, and schools can do a lot to help this initiative. Having eco-friendly spaces in learning environments will empower children with knowledge and skills to protect our planet.

Special thanks to Jacqueline Stowe for providing this article.