Have you ever noticed yourself, or others, losing concentration when it’s hot? Perhaps an over eager temper, as the beads of sweat rolling down your back cause you increasing discomfort? Now consider the effect that poor classroom air conditioning has, on children at school.
28 Degrees of losing classroom concentration
According to Professor Michael Nagel, who specialises in brain development and education, a poor classroom air conditioner is the root cause of many educational failings. Professor Nagel, after a number of studies and extensive research, has been able to identify the exact temperature at which reading comprehension begins to slide away – 28 degrees.
Yet, many schools in Queensland, and particularly along the Sunshine Coast, have no classroom air conditioning. This is a state of affairs which the Government doesn’t appear to want to legislate against, despite evidence showing the damaging effects of hot classrooms, especially in the hottest months of November through to February.
How children are affected by poor classroom air conditioners
It’s not only the schools with no classroom air conditioning that risk their pupils’ education. Those schools which have poorly serviced classroom air conditioners, will find the effects on children in the heat, devastating to their educational advancement. Hot classrooms affect children in several ways, including:
- Reducing the ability to concentrate
- Cutting cognitive ability, which cuts retention of information
- Increasing aggressive behaviour, especially in children with ADHD
And yet, despite the evidence, the State government doesn’t even stipulate a maximum temperature at which children would have to be sent home. It can get as hot as it wants, with learning ability reducing to zero; and poorly air conditioned schools don’t have to do a thing about it!
The science behind the reality
Here’s the science bit:
Studies have shown that while at 28 degrees brain power begins to wilt, at 30 degrees it almost switches off. Though it’s still possible to function, the real energy the brain uses is spent on surviving the heat. It’s like a reflex action that flicks the switch from thinking, learning, and remembering, to merely trying to stay cool.
That why school children get tired and tetchy in the heat.
High temperatures cause the brain to overproduce serotonin: and when this hormone gets out of balance, one of the main effects is to reduce the recognition of pain (whether physical or mental). This directly increases aggressive behaviour.
How to increase academic results in schools
Great teachers and engaged pupils make for great educational results. With so much evidence proving excessive classroom heat disengages children from lessons, and instead engages them in anti-social behaviour, better classroom air conditioning is clearly a major weapon in the battle to improve educational standards.
Ask yourself this question: do you think politicians would be happy to spend a day in a school with no classroom air conditioner?
If the answer to that is ‘no’, then it’s time to ensure that your school has great classroom air conditioning that is in top working order. Call (07) 3269 8450 now to find out how Brisbane Air can help you with commercial air conditioning for schools.
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