A Greenprint for Change: Making Schoolyards Work for Wellbeing

Description

Schoolyards might just be the perfect antidote to school stress. With mounting research showing how green spaces boost mental and physical health, these outdoor spaces give students a daily dose of outdoor respite. Such benefits are important as teenagers face increasing challenges such as academic pressures, social challenges and physical change. Yet despite this, most school grounds aren’t designed with student well-being in mind.
The Schoolyard Greenprint seeks to change this. Led by the University of Canberra, this study aims to bridge the worlds of outdoor design, health and student well-being through a co-design process asking three big questions: What types of green spaces do students currently have? What do they want? And importantly, what kind of outdoor environments do they need?
By tapping into the perspectives of the people who know schoolyards best – students, staff, policy makers, advocates and designers alike – this project gathers insights to spark fresh thinking around the essential role of outdoor school spaces. This workshop will provide a preview into some of the early findings of this work and explore the potential for change. In particular, to delve into how school grounds can be transformed into places of connection and renewal, offering a mental and physical boost that students – and the broader school community – can benefit from.

Period	8 May 2025
Event title	Learning Environments Australasia National Conference: 3001: A learning space odyssey
Event type	Conference
Location	Australia, QueenslandShow on map
Degree of Recognition	National