Tunable white lighting is the future of classroom lighting because of the positive impacts on mood, behavior, and concentration. In a time when schools are seeking every possible advantage to improve the learning environment, they cannot lose sight of the impact lighting and controls can have on learning. Lighting and controls need to be considered tools that are as critical as smartboards, tablets for students, and all the other modern-day teaching tactics that are being deployed in classrooms across the country.
Acuity Brands and EMA will discuss the installation of the tunable white solution in the Carrollton Farmers Branch Independent School District (ISD) where the ROI went beyond energy — showing what it took to bring the energy manager, the teachers, the parents, principal, and even the students along for the ride. In addition, the results of a Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL) Gateway Study are now public and we will show the results of this study based on the installation at CFB ISD.
LEDs Magazine will continue its countdown to Strategies in Light with more industry insights here at ledsmagazine.com. You can find details on the conference program, speakers, exhibitors, and more at strategiesinlight.com.
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Tunable white lighting and its potential impact on the K–12 learning environment has been the subject of a number of research studies, but not a lot of practical, in-the-classroom experience exists,” Foster points out. “Catherine and I had the opportunity to work with the school administration, teachers, and students to gain insight and feedback on just how effective lighting can be on student behavior and performance.”
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“As part of our presentation, we will walk through deploying a tunable white system into the classroom,” adds Hollenshead. “We will review the return on investment from energy savings over the previous fluorescent lighting system, but also dig into the multiple benefits to the teachers and impact on students as they experience lighting that can be adjusted to mood, activity, time of day, and other factors.”
In brief: Carrollton Farmers Branch Independent School District
One classroom in three different schools in the district converted from traditional fluorescent luminaires without any controllability in the spaces to the Lithonia Lighting BLT Series Tunable White luminaire featuring nTune controls technology. The new installation allowed the teachers to control both the intensity and color of the lighting in the classroom based on the task at hand. Teachers had the flexibility to use the pre-programmed settings or manually adjust based on the classroom needs.
The three schools that had classrooms converted to tunable white lighting in August of 2016 are Dale B. Davis Elementary – 5th Grade, Sheffield Elementary – 3rd Grade, and Blalack Middle School – 8th Grade.
Join us on Thursday, Feb. 15, during “Session 5: Choosing the Right White Light,” as we discuss the project parameters and details that determined the solutions required to meet the school district’s goals, and how ROI evolved to achieve ROO in this multi-classroom tunable lighting installation.
TRICIA FOSTER joined Acuity Brands in 1999. As director, market development, she drives demand for total lighting solutions to educational facilities. CATHERINE HOLLENSHEAD began her engineering career with EMA in 2004 and is now lighting specialist at EMA.
Tuning in to more on educational lighting
For another take on the Carrollton school project, read about the Gateway study.
At LightFair International in 2016, Acuity launched tunable lighting for schools and offices.
Learn more about the future-proofing possibilities of tunable white lighting in the classroom.