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 411 - 420 of 680 | Export entire research library
Greenness Surrounding Schools and Visual Impairment in Chinese Children and Adolescents
Yang, Bo-Yi
Large cross-sectional study of over 61,000 Chinese students found that greater school-surrounding greenness was associated with lower odds of visual impairment and better visual acuity. Air pollution partially mediated these associations.
Keywords: None listed by authors
Effects of Regular Classes in Outdoor Education Settings: A Systematic Review on Students’ Learning, Social and Health Dimensions
Becker, Christoph
Systematic review of 13 studies on outdoor education in regular curricula found trends toward improved learning, social skills, and personal development. Physical activity and mental health outcomes were rare. Higher-quality studies are recommended.
Keywords: outdoor education, School, children, Adolescents, Curriculum , social, Learning, Health, Review
Green schoolyard renovations in low‐income urban neighborhoods: Benefits to students, schools, and the surrounding community
Bohnert, Amy M.
Pre-post study of two renovated green schoolyards in low-income Chicago neighborhoods. Results showed increased activity, prosocial behavior, and perceived safety. Highlights role of green spaces in health equity.
Keywords: behavioral mapping, green schoolyards, Green space, Health equity, Physical activity, social interactions
Association of Education Outside the Classroom and Pupils’ Psychosocial Well-Being: Results From a School Year Implementation
Bølling, Mads
Quasi-experimental yearlong study of 631 Danish students showed outdoor classroom instruction improved prosocial behavior and reduced peer problems, especially for low-SES students. Supports outdoor learning as a school health strategy.
Keywords: Mental health, Outdoor learning, school-based outdoor education, school-based health promotion, udeskole
School Green Space and Its Impact on Academic Performance: A Systematic Literature Review
Browning, Matthew H. E. M.
Systematic review of 13 studies on school green space and academic outcomes. 28% of findings were positive, 64% non-significant. More tree cover and nearby greenness showed greatest academic links. Suggests further investigation is needed.
Keywords: Green space, Nature, Academic performance, Academic achievement, Education, Schools, test scores
School Gardens in the United States: Current Barriers to Integration and Sustainability
Burt, Kate G.
Surveyed 99 school gardeners across 15 states on barriers to sustaining gardens; found time, staffing, and funding most limiting. Highlights garden committees, staff development, and outreach as solutions to support school garden integration.
Keywords: None listed by authors
Nurture thru Nature: Creating natural science identities in populations of disadvantaged children through community education partnership
Camasso, Michael J.
A classical experiment in four elementary schools evaluated “Nurture thru Nature,” an after-school science enrichment program. Results showed academic gains in math, science, and language, highlighting nature-based learning’s potential for reducing…
Keywords: disadvantaged children, natural science education
A haven of green space: learning from a pilot pre-post evaluation of a school-based social and therapeutic horticulture intervention with children
Chiumento, Anna
A UK pilot tested school-based therapeutic horticulture with children aged 9-15 experiencing behavioral challenges. Pre/post design showed some mental wellbeing gains, suggesting value of green space therapy for emotional health in school settings.
Keywords: children and young people, greenspace, behavioural, emotional and social problems, mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, Schools, community-based, therapeutic horticulture, mixed-methods, pilot intervention
The Association between Lifelong Greenspace Exposure and 3-Dimensional Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Barcelona Schoolchildren
Dadvand, Payam
3D MRI scans of 253 Barcelona children linked greater lifelong green space exposure to increased gray and white matter volumes in brain regions tied to attention and memory, suggesting cognitive benefits of greener childhood environments.
Keywords: None listed by authors
Regional differences in access to the outdoors and outdoor play of Canadian children and youth during the COVID-19 outbreak
Lannoy, Louise de
This commentary explores how COVID-19 policies across Canadian provinces impacted children’s outdoor play. With restrictions linked to reduced outdoor activity, the authors recommend prioritizing access to outdoor space in future public health…
Keywords: COVID-19, outdoor play, policy, children and youth, Health