Some classrooms at Taft Elementary in Santa Clara, California, have a significant flaw: they don’t have windows. Logan Earnest, a dedicated fifth-grade teacher at the school, firmly believes this architectural oversight affects his students negatively. He has observed firsthand the impact this environment has on his students’ overall well-being and academic performance.
In Earnest’s classroom, the lack of windows means that students spend most of their day in an enclosed, artificial environment. The walls are painted a drab beige, and the only light comes from fluorescent bulbs. This setting, devoid of natural light and views of the outside world, creates a sterile and confining atmosphere.
The Effects of Windowless Classrooms
“Most of the day, 7/8 of the day, they’re inside,” Logan Earnest told CBS News, highlighting a significant issue affecting his fifth-grade students at Taft Elementary. Spending almost the entire school day indoors means that students are deprived of any exposure to the outdoors. “They don’t really get to see any trees, they don’t get to see grass, the blue sky,” Earnest elaborated, pointing out the absence of natural scenery from their daily experience. He believes this lack of natural elements, coupled with the drab, beige walls of the classroom, could be mentally draining for the kids. The uninspiring environment might negatively affect their attention span, making it harder for them to focus on lessons. Additionally, Earnest suspects this could even influence their attendance, as the uninviting classroom might reduce their enthusiasm for coming to school.
Former school psychologist Ernesto Rodriguez shares Earnest’s concerns about the detrimental effects of windowless classrooms on students. “Research shows being in and around nature eases anxiety and has benefits for students,” Rodriguez confirmed. These benefits include improved mood, better concentration, and enhanced emotional well-being. The presence of natural elements can significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels, creating a more conducive learning environment.
Rodriguez, who has transitioned from school psychology to becoming a park ranger on Southern California’s Catalina Island, has a deep understanding of the positive impact nature can have on mental health. His current role allows him to immerse himself in nature daily, and he has also pursued his passion for landscape photography. This combination of interests in nature and mental well-being has given Rodriguez unique insights into how the environment can influence psychological health.
Rodriguez’s observations are supported by extensive research indicating that exposure to nature and natural light can enhance cognitive function and emotional stability. Studies have shown that students who have access to natural views and daylight tend to perform better academically and exhibit fewer behavioral problems. The calming effects of nature can also help improve interpersonal relationships and the overall school climate.
In his role as a park ranger, Rodriguez has seen firsthand how spending time in natural settings can rejuvenate the mind and body. His experiences on Catalina Island have reinforced his belief in the importance of integrating natural elements into everyday environments, including schools. This perspective has fueled his passion for landscape photography, where he captures the beauty of nature and seeks to bring it into indoor spaces that lack natural views.
Rodriguez’s journey from school psychologist to park ranger and landscape photographer illustrates a profound connection between nature and mental well-being. His dedication to promoting the benefits of nature in educational settings aligns with growing evidence that such environments are crucial for the healthy development of children. By advocating for the inclusion of natural elements in schools, Rodriguez and Earnest hope to create more inviting and effective learning spaces that can support students’ academic and emotional growth.
A Transformative Realisation
During his training to become a park ranger, Rodriguez learned a key fact. “Kids who have views out windows to trees do better academically, emotionally, and creatively. And more graduate and go to college,” he said. This realization made him question why schools weren’t utilizing this information.
Rodriguez had an innovative idea to bring nature into windowless rooms. He developed hospital curtains with printed landscapes to brighten dull rooms. This idea led to a breakthrough for classrooms. “Having been a school psychologist, you don’t touch teacher’s walls. You do that, and they cut your hand off – both of them,” Rodriguez joked. “So I thought, well let’s use the ceiling because they don’t typically use the ceiling.”
Rodriguez uses his photography skills to take 360-degree shots of tree canopies. He then prints these images and fits them onto ceiling tiles, creating the illusion of sitting under a tree. “It has all those elements of science that help calm you down, helps you focus and communicate,” he said.
The Birth of Nature in the Classroom
Rodriguez created a nonprofit called Nature in the Classroom to address the lack of natural elements in schools. His innovative solution involves installing ceiling canopies that feature 360-degree photographs of tree canopies, creating the illusion of sitting under a tree when students look up. This creative approach helps bring the calming and restorative effects of nature into windowless classrooms. So far, Rodriguez has successfully installed these tree canopies in ten school districts, making a positive impact on the learning environment for numerous students.
Rodriguez personally takes all the photos used in the canopies, ensuring each image captures the beauty and tranquility of nature. These canopies are often donated to teachers, allowing schools with limited resources to benefit from this initiative without bearing the financial burden. By providing these installations for free, Rodriguez’s nonprofit makes it easier for schools to create more engaging and nurturing classrooms.
When the installation of the canopy in Logan Earnest’s fifth-grade classroom was complete, Rodriguez eagerly revealed it to the students. The response was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. As soon as the students entered the room and saw the new addition, their faces lit up with excitement. “Beautiful,” one student exclaimed, capturing the collective sentiment of the class. The transformation of their previously drab classroom into a space infused with the essence of nature was both surprising and delightful for the children.
Octavio, a student in Earnest’s class, expressed his amazement at the new canopy. “It is surprising to see because any time you’re inside of a school, you mostly don’t see plants. Or trees. But now it’s surprising to see that there are trees here,” he said. Octavio’s reaction highlighted the stark contrast between the typical indoor school environment and the vibrant, nature-inspired ceiling now above them. “I would say that it’s pretty great and beautiful,” he added, encapsulating the joy and wonder that the new installation brought to the classroom.
The introduction of the tree canopy had an immediate positive impact on the students. The once sterile and uninspiring classroom was now a place of beauty and tranquility. This transformation not only brightened the physical space but also uplifted the spirits of the students. The presence of the tree canopy provided a much-needed visual and emotional connection to nature, which Earnest and Rodriguez hoped would improve the students’ attention spans, reduce anxiety, and enhance overall well-being.
Earnest observed the immediate benefits of the new environment. He noticed that his students seemed more relaxed and engaged. The calming effect of the tree canopy appeared to create a more conducive atmosphere for learning. Earnest believed that this change would positively influence his students’ attendance and enthusiasm for coming to school. “I think my attendance is going to go up. I think kids are going to want to come in here more frequently. Overall, I think the kids are going to be happier,” he said, optimistic about the long-term benefits of the canopy.
Rodriguez’s work with Nature in the Classroom demonstrates the profound impact that thoughtful design and natural elements can have on educational spaces. His dedication to enhancing the learning environment for students, particularly those in windowless classrooms, underscores the importance of considering students’ emotional and psychological needs in school design. By bringing the outside in, Rodriguez and his nonprofit are helping to create more nurturing and inspiring classrooms where students can thrive.
Positive Expectations
Earnest is optimistic about the impact on his students. “I think my attendance is going to go up. I think kids are going to want to come in here more frequently. Overall, I think the kids are going to be happier,” he said.
Rodriguez encourages skeptics to experience the calming effect of nature themselves. “If you still don’t believe in the science behind the art, you can try it yourself by going outside and looking up at the trees,” he said.
“This is a marriage of both my careers as a school psychologist and a photographer,” Rodriguez said. “And to be able to create imagery – and spend time out in nature creating imagery that I know is going to help people – is really a motivator.”
The installation of tree canopies has garnered support from both the community and school administrators. Parents and teachers appreciate the innovative approach to enhancing the learning environment. “It’s wonderful to see our children excited about their classroom,” said one parent. “This simple change has made a big difference.”
This initiative could have a broader impact on educational environments. Schools across the country face similar challenges with windowless classrooms. The success of Nature in the Classroom might inspire other districts to adopt similar solutions. “We hope this can be a model for other schools,” said Principal Maria Gonzalez. “Our students deserve the best environment to learn and grow.”
Rodriguez plans to expand his project to more schools. He aims to create a lasting impact on student well-being and academic performance. “We are just getting started,” Rodriguez said. “There are so many schools that can benefit from this simple, yet powerful change.”
The windowless classrooms at Taft Elementary presented a significant challenge. Thanks to Logan Earnest’s dedication and Ernesto Rodriguez’s innovative solution, these classrooms now offer a glimpse of nature. This change has the potential to improve students’ mood, focus, and overall educational experience. With continued support and expansion, Nature in the Classroom could revolutionize learning environments nationwide.
