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Bringing Nature Into Schools Increases Student Learning and Well-Being

August 17, 2016 by Shanna Edberg

eco schoolsSchool facilities with natural features and eco-friendly designs are not just good for the environment, but also for educational outcomes. Classrooms that have plants and natural light show improved learning scores in math, science, and spelling. Natural features in classrooms also reduce stress levels and improve student concentration and behavior. Green roofs, school gardens, and wetland areas can be used as outdoor classrooms for science projects, and features such as solar power and rainwater harvesting allow students to learn firsthand about green technology.

**Climate Protection: **Reduces carbon emissions from school buildings Energy & Mobility: Lowers energy use Food & Water: Saves water; expands urban farming Health, Well-Being, & Safety: Reduces stress levels Connection: Fosters learning about the natural world

This post is part of a series on examples of multisolving, or climate-smart policies that simultaneously work to mitigate climate change while providing co-benefits such as the ones described above. The multiple benefits analysis was done using the FLOWER framework.