Can lighting at school improve the well-being of students?

Light effects us in three ways: 

• Visually – it enables the perception of the environment, the assimilation of information and cognitive processes.

• Non-visually – it is connected to our diurnal rhythm and synchronization of our internal clock, including the effect of the position of the sun and its influence on humans.

• Emotionally – it affects our mood and well-being.

Even the best technology cannot replace natural light. However, as technological development progresses, scientists and engineers are now able to implement numerous innovations, which help to bring artificial light closer to natural sunlight. At school, our children should be able to work with lighting fixtures, which render realistic ambient colors (CRI coefficient>90) and emit as little glare (UGR<19) as possible. This creates pleasant visual effects and an increased visual comfort.

Modern lighting is not only about luminaires. A system managing the luminaires is just as important, since it allows users to set different parameters in separate rooms, as well as on individual luminaires. Through smart lighting management, the intensity and temperature of the light can be controlled remotely in order to create the desired mood, depending on the specific activity.

"Lighting based on the Human Centric Lighting philosophy comprises of a LED solution, which focuses on the human need for light. Schools that have upgraded their lighting system can control the fixtures and adjust the light color. In the morning, students start their school day with warm light, containing a pleasant mix of shades, including red, which doesn't abruptly knock their bodies out of nighttime rest mode. By midday, there is usually an increase of blue light in the lighting, which has an activating effect and reduces sleepiness,“ explains Dr. Pawel Morawski (light expert at TRILUX Poland).

He adds: “A Dutch study found that at higher light levels and higher color temperatures, which match the color and intensity of daylight, academic performance improved, while lower light levels and lower color temperatures reduced agitations in classrooms and disruptions during lessons." In recent decades, teaching methods, as well as everyday life at school, have changed a lot. Now, it's time to upgrade the lighting. This will support our children in achieving the best results and will increase their daily joy and well-being. Because childhood only happens once!