Diana Vining

Diana Vining

THE EFFECT OF SCHOOL INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT ON STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARD SCHOOL: SUGGESTIONS FOR PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Intuitively, we feel that our surroundings affect us on a cognitive and physiological level. Many studies have shown the affect of the physical environment on people, i.e., linking office environments to worker productivity or hospital environments to patient recovery. Light and color affect one's mood, attention, creativity, feeling of safety, and comfort level in a space. Specifically, there is experimental evidence that the physical state of a school can affect the school's students in tangible ways such as mood, attendance, instances of violence, and academic performance. Many different factors are involved in the quality of education that a child receives in school. The interior environment of schools is a factor not often considered but one that is much more easily improved than other factors. Does a student's opinion on their school interior environment affect their attitude toward school? Even if the effect of the school interior environment on student experience proves to be small, it is an aspect of education that is within the realm of administrators, educators, and communities to change.

SECTOR C: Art Practice & Technology

ADVISERS: Benjamin Backus | Richard Wesley