William H. Farquhar Middle School, Olney, MD. Photo credit: Patrick Ross
School Health Research Library
We have curated a library of peer-reviewed scientific studies from around the world published since 2016, focusing on the school built environment and occupant health and performance. This research builds on the 2017 Schools for Health: Foundations for Student Success report released by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health that synthesizes foundational research about school indoor environmental quality impacts on students and staff.
To help translate this research into action in schools, we have compiled School Health Research Highlights to help school staff and leaders access key findings and actionable strategies on priority topics.
Displaying 391 - 400 of 680 | Export entire research library
Can an Outdoor Learning Environment Improve Children’s Academic Attainment? A Quasi-Experimental Mixed Methods Study in Bangladesh
Khan, Matluba
In a quasi-experiment in Bangladesh, redesigning a schoolyard with gardens and teaching spaces improved math and science scores. Results suggest school design can enhance academic outcomes.
Keywords: Outdoor learning, primary school ground, quasi-experiment, behavior settings, academic attainment
Nature Elements and Fundamental Motor Skill Development Opportunities at Five Elementary School Districts in British Columbia
Lim, Christopher
Researchers audited playgrounds at 99 Canadian elementary schools to assess nature elements and potential for motor skill development. Findings show limited green features and support design changes to foster physical literacy and equitable activity…
Keywords: naturescape, children, School, playground, physical literacy, functional motor skills, Nature
Impact of views to school landscapes on recovery from stress and mental fatigue
Li, Dongying
In a randomized controlled experiment with 94 high school students, views of green school landscapes significantly improved stress recovery and attention compared to built views or no windows. Findings inform school design for student well-being.
Keywords: school landscape, Student performance, stress recovery, attention restoration
How is environmental greenness related to students' academic performance in English and Mathematics?
Leung, Wing Tuen Veronica
Using 9 years of data from over 27,000 public school students in Massachusetts, the study linked academic scores to school-surrounding greenness (NDVI and land use). Results support integrating green design to improve equity in student achievement
Keywords: Greenness, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), green land use, Academic performance, Students
Effects of trees, gardens, and nature trails on heat index and child health: design and methods of the Green Schoolyards Project
Lanza, Kevin
In Central Texas, a cross-sectional and cohort study measured heat index, physical activity, and nature interaction among Latinx elementary students using GIS, SOPARC, and GPS/accelerometers. Findings support greening schoolyards to mitigate heat…
Keywords: Health equity, School physical activity, Climate change adaptation, Urban heat islands, Temperature, Playgrounds, Joint-use parks, Outdoor nature play
Greening for academic achievement: Prioritizing what to plant and where
Kuo, Ming
In 450 Washington State schools, tree canopy and NDVI within 250-1000 m of schools predicted standardized reading and math scores. Tree cover near schools was the strongest predictor. Findings suggest tree planting around schools may offer a cost-…
Keywords: None listed by authors
Might School Performance Grow on Trees? Examining the Link Between “Greenness” and Academic Achievement in Urban, High-Poverty Schools
Kuo, Ming
Using data from 318 Chicago public schools, this study found that greater tree cover on school property predicted significantly higher math achievement, even after controlling for poverty and demographics. Findings suggest greening schoolyards may…
Keywords: geographic information systems, Academic performance, greening, schoolyards, socioeconomic status, income, race, urban tree canopy assessment
Do Lessons in Nature Boost Subsequent Classroom Engagement? Refueling Students in Flight
Kuo, Ming
This study compared classroom engagement after indoor vs. nature-based lessons across 10 matched topics in two third-grade classrooms. Engagement was consistently higher after nature lessons. Findings suggest outdoor instruction can enhance…
Keywords: classroom engagement, Academic achievement, teaching outdoors, lessons in nature, environmental education
Perceptions of School-Based Kitchen Garden Programs in Low-Income, African American Communities
Knapp, Megan B.
Qualitative focus groups in New Orleans schools explored views on Edible Schoolyard kitchen gardens. Students, parents, and teachers cited benefits like life skills, healthy eating, and learning engagement. Findings support school gardens as…
Keywords: Nutrition, Black/African American, minority health, qualitative evaluation, program planning and evaluation, Obesity, chronic disease, child/adolescent health, health education
Designing an outdoor learning environment for and with a primary school community: a case study in Bangladesh
Khan, Matluba
In rural Bangladesh, participatory methods with students, teachers, and parents helped design primary school grounds that support learning and play. Findings suggest nature-based outdoor spaces enhance educational engagement and offer affordable…
Keywords: primary school ground, children’s preferences, Learning, loose materials, teachers’ views; affordances, behaviour settings