Beating the Heat: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Passive, Low-Cost Heat-Mitigation Strategies and Their Impact on High School Students in St. Stephen’s High School

Document Types

Paper Presentation

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Sustainability, Environment, and Energy (SEE)

School Name

St. Stephen's High School

Track or Strand

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Ramos, Jonah Leigh, E.

Start Date

23-6-2026 1:30 PM

End Date

23-6-2026 3:00 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

DLSU Manila Campus (In-person) - Don Enrique T. Yuchengco Hall - Y503

Abstract/Executive Summary

Climate change has intensified high-heat events, making thermal comfort in schools a critical concern for student well-being and learning experience. Many schools in the Philippines, especially those with limited resources, are experiencing the effects of high heat, highlighting the need for effective heat-mitigation strategies (HMS). Traditional HMS, such as air conditioning, electric fans, or mechanical ventilation, are costly to maintain, making low-cost or passive solutions the best options. This study evaluates four passive, low-cost HMS: natural ventilation (NV), window shading (WS), de-crowding (DC), and earlier class schedules (ES). An embedded mixed-methods design was employed, utilizing linear models to combine environmental data, thermal perception votes, and cognitive assessment scores, which involved a total of 132 high school student participants from grades 7 to 12 at St. Stephen’s High School. Each HMS was then ranked based on effects, feasibility, and costs. Results showed that NV performed best across all three previously mentioned criteria, followed by WS, ES, and DC. Overall, these findings offer evidence-based guidance for implementing low-cost HMS, helping schools improve student well-being, thermal comfort, and cognitive performance. Further research is recommended to explore experiment-centered research designs and test more creative and innovative HMS for the betterment of 21st-century learning.

Keywords

heat-mitigation strategies; passive cooling; thermal comfort; cognitive performance; classroom environment

Statement of Originality

yes

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Jun 23rd, 1:30 PM Jun 23rd, 3:00 PM

Beating the Heat: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Passive, Low-Cost Heat-Mitigation Strategies and Their Impact on High School Students in St. Stephen’s High School

Climate change has intensified high-heat events, making thermal comfort in schools a critical concern for student well-being and learning experience. Many schools in the Philippines, especially those with limited resources, are experiencing the effects of high heat, highlighting the need for effective heat-mitigation strategies (HMS). Traditional HMS, such as air conditioning, electric fans, or mechanical ventilation, are costly to maintain, making low-cost or passive solutions the best options. This study evaluates four passive, low-cost HMS: natural ventilation (NV), window shading (WS), de-crowding (DC), and earlier class schedules (ES). An embedded mixed-methods design was employed, utilizing linear models to combine environmental data, thermal perception votes, and cognitive assessment scores, which involved a total of 132 high school student participants from grades 7 to 12 at St. Stephen’s High School. Each HMS was then ranked based on effects, feasibility, and costs. Results showed that NV performed best across all three previously mentioned criteria, followed by WS, ES, and DC. Overall, these findings offer evidence-based guidance for implementing low-cost HMS, helping schools improve student well-being, thermal comfort, and cognitive performance. Further research is recommended to explore experiment-centered research designs and test more creative and innovative HMS for the betterment of 21st-century learning.

https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2026/BoA_SEE/16