SOS School without stress

© proHolz Steiermark . Graz . Zeltweg . www.proholz-stmk.at . [email protected]

proHolz / Holzcluster Steiermark

"SOS – School without Stress“ (from German „Schule ohne Stress“)

way© proHolz Steiermark . Graz . Zeltweg . www.proholz-stmk.at . [email protected]

The initial situation


• Powerful "concrete lobby"

• IBO survey: solid building materials rated as "Category 0"

• BUT:

Untreated solid timber elements as well as windows and doors

made from wood rated as "Category 1"

Initial situation


Initial situation


• The Idea to demonstrate the advantages of the building material

wood with a study project

Initial situation


Results of the pine study:

• Significant reduction in cardiac workload after sleeping in a bed made

from pine wood (3,500 heartbeats / night)

• Lasting positive effect also noticeable during daytime

Relevant previous projects: Pine study


Results of the spruce study:

• Significant advantages of the spruce room regarding

HRV-parameters and heart rate in 25.6 % of the test phases

• Lower stress level in the spruce room, especially in the relax phase

and after power nap

• Significant advantages of the spruce room under conditions of

stress (mental stress was perceived less strenuous)

Relevant previous projects: Spruce study


SOS – project and results


SOS –

project partners


Secondary school in Haus im Ennstal


Wood classroom Standard classroom

SOS – Classrooms


SOS – Classroom interiors


• Corridor wall: 33 m²

(spruce, unfinished)

• Parquet floor: 63 m²

(oak, proActive)

• Ceiling: 63 m²

(fir, unfinished)

• Cupboard: 600 x 100 x 46 cm

(pine/beech)

• Pin board: 600 x 100 cm

(soft fibre board with fabric coating)

SOS – Materials used in wood classrooms


Duration of the study: approx. 1 year

submission, funding,

planning, information, PR

modification,

measurement

period 1

measurement period 2,

information event, PR

measure-

ment

period 3,

analysis

SOS – Timeline


• 7 measurement dates (ECG measurement, questionnaires)

• 4 classrooms

• 54 test persons

SOS – Design of the study


SOS – Measuring device and method


AUSTRO-Mir 1991:

Space device Kymo and

sensor jacket


Sensor housing made from Styrian wood


Examples from the analyses


„bad“ night „good“ night

Examples from the analyses


Physiological results of

the SOS study


Daily variation:

Heart rate standard classroom vs. wood

classroom

8,600 heartbeats per day saved!

Standard classroom Wood classroom


Daily variation:

Vagus nerve standard classroom vs. wood

classroom

Standard classroom Wood classroom


Psychological results of

the SOS study


Social stress of pupils caused by teachers

remains stable


Conflict potential decreases in wood classrooms but increases in standard classrooms!

Conflicts and subjective quality of sleep


Fewer concentration problems in wood classrooms!

Grades and concentration performance


• Heart rate:

... in awake state; decreases in "Wood classroom" group (test

group) but increases in "Standard classroom" group (control

group)

• Vagus nerve activity (cardioprotective value):

... in awake state, increases in test group but decreases in

control group

... during night time; remains unchanged in test group but

decreases in control group

• Social stress of pupils caused by teachers:

... remains unchanged in test group but increases in

control group

• School performance and concentration skills:

... less mistakes due to lack of concentration in test group

Summary of the results


Effects of the results on other fields


What do these results mean for the

education sector?

• Proof that schools made from wood provide a stress-free

environment for pupils and teachers:

- Less aggression among pupils

- More willingness to learn and less mistakes due to lack of

concentration and / or focus

- Higher teaching quality due to less behavioural problems

- Probably reduced burnout risk for pupils and teachers


Impressions from the wood classroom





© proHolz Steiermark . Graz . Zeltweg . www.proholz-stmk.at . [email protected]

www.proholz-stmk.at

Further information:

Engineering

SOS School without stress