Chapter 1

“Examining the Effects of the Heat Index on Grade 10 Students at Mati National Comprehensive
High School"

Introduction

Backround of the study

The intense heat that students are currently experiencing is one of their biggest problems. Previous
research has demonstrated that high temperatures in laboratory settings have a negative influence on
cognitive capacities, which means that summer heat can have a negative impact on students' learning
Cho, H. (2017). The heat that permeates their body prevents pupils from focusing on their assignments
while they are in class. The extreme temperatures that they encounter every day when they arrive at
school caused a few pupils to become ill.

When relative humidity and air temperature are taken into account, the Heat Index—also known as
perceived temperature—calculates the actual heat felt by the person (Ambient Weather 2024).
Frontiers (2022) states that air temperature and humidity have a significant impact on public health. The
frequency of occurrences and intensity of the heat index are rising, which increases the amount of
temperature stress on people's health.

Students performed considerably worse on the standardized state test on a 90-degree day than on a
72-degree day, according to data from New York City high school exit exams. Significantly, it discovered
that the effects were long-lasting: Teachers also report that pupils may become disinterested and
unmotivated while seated in a warm classroom. Additionally, additional studies demonstrate that high
temperatures impair cognitive function, which causes examinations to require slower reaction times
(Education Week 20 ex).

As summer approaches in the Philippines, most classes are also held in crowded classrooms, which
presents significant challenges for students with medical issues, according to the findings of a study
conducted among 11,706 public school teachers from March 24 to 27. The most frequently mentioned
outcome of teachers' "intolerable heat" in their classrooms, according to almost 67% of the 7,800
instructors who responded to the poll, was kids' inability to pay attention in class (Philstar, 2024). The
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) stated that
Davao City's heat index has been as high as 42°C for the last five days. In light of this, a few Dabawenyo
students from one of the city's largest high schools claim that they are finding it more difficult to
concentrate in class. Students became more distracted in class as a result of hearing a student say,
"Makainit og ulo, makawala og gana, kay init man gud ginasuyop ang energy sa among lawas" (Sunstar
Davao, 2023).
 Clearly, The Heat Index distracts and disturbs a student whilst learning in school. Hence, greatly
affecting a students overall performance and comfort in school. This study will provide deeper
understanding of the cause of the heat index to the overall comfort and performance of a student.

To understand how the world around us works, researchers conduct this study. One use of the
knowledge gained is in the development of different societal sectors, including industry, education,
government policies, the healthcare system, and social cohesion. Therefore, the pursuit of answers to
issues raised by society or solutions to its problems is a key component of what is meant to be the
"societal relevance" of research. It is hotly debated how to (A) assess and (B) enhance.In this study, we
aim to explore the potential of societal attention to heat-wave conditions for (i) detecting and defining
heat waves, which is traditionally done based on meteorological variables only (Seneviratne et al. 2012)
while the joint consideration of societal data offers the opportunity for refined, domain-based
definitions, and (ii) analyzing the potential of societal attention to predict actual heat-wave impacts, for
example, on people’s health. For this purpose, we investigate the societal response to temperature
using multiple temperature and societal metrics.

Purpose of the study

The main purpose of the study is to examine whether the heat index affects the students learning. This
study is limited to randomly selected students in Grade 10 at . This will only include students who are
currently studying in MNCHS S.Y 2023-2024.

Research Questions

1.how does exposure to high heat index levels impact the academic performance and cognitive function
of grade 10 students at Mati National Comprehensive Highschool?

2.what are the strategies and interventions that educational institution can implement to mitigate the
effects of elevated heat index on students physical and mental well being during school hours?

3.What can the teacher's and grade 10 students here in mati national comprehensive highschool gain
knowledge about your research?

Theoretical Lens

•One theory that can explain the impact of the heat index on students is the Cognitive Load Theory.
According to a study conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, exposure to high
temperatures, especially during heat waves, can lead to a decrease in cognitive performance. The study
found that highschool students living in non-air-conditioned buildings experienced a decrease in
cognitive performance during a heatwave, taking longer to complete tasks and making more errors.,
high temperatures and heat can increase the cognitive load on students, leading to reduced cognitive
functioning and academic performance. The heat can cause physical discomfort, fatigue, and
dehydration, which can tax the students' cognitive resources and make it more challenging for them to
concentrate, process information, and retain knowledge. This increased cognitive load can hinder their
ability to engage in complex thinking tasks and negatively affect their learning outcomes. Therefore, the
theory suggests that the heat index can have a detrimental impact on students' cognitive processes and
academic performance.

•According to (Wargocki, Porras-Salazar, and Contreras-Espinoza 2019) this theory caused by the high
temperatures have been the major source of complaints from students, parents, and teachers, as well as
the cause of some students having medical implications, such as heat stress, dehydration, and reduced
concentration, all of which negatively impacts students' health and overall wellbeing.Additionally,
students' performance and productivity were negatively impacted by health problems that were more
likely to arise when they were exposed to indoor air quality that exceeded norms (Palacios et al. 2021).
Poor IAQ has an impact on learning as well since it has been shown that students' capacity to complete
standard academic activities is hampered by thermal discomfort brought on by warm classroom
temperatures.The classroom climate makes a difference in learner productivity. Higher temperatures
negatively affect learner concentration, accuracy, and overall academic performance (Wargocki & Wyon,
2007; Wargocki et al., 2019).

Statement of the problems

The study aims to determine the effect of the heat index on the learning of Grade 10 students at MNCHS
(Mati National Comprehensive High School).

1.)To what extent does exposure to elevated heat index levels contribute to changes in students'
performance in terms of:

1.1. Attendance rate

1.2. Engagement in learning activities

1.3. Academic performance

2.)How does the heat index affect the learning performance of students in terms of their:

1.1. Concentration level

1.2. Cognitive abilities

1.3. Emotional well-being and stress management

HYPOTHESIS

There is a no significant relationship between the heat index and the learning performance of Grade 10
students.

Significance of the study

Students. The after-effects of this study will ideally help the students prevent the effects of the heat
index and for them to be aware of the situation.

Teachers. This study will help teachers to know the struggles of their students and understand their
performance due to the hot temperature.

Parents. It is also the desire of this study to raise awareness on their children's health status because it
is also their responsibility to watch their children's health.

Future Researchers. The ideas presented may be used as reference information in conducting new
analysts and testing the legitimacy of other related discoveries. This study will ideally fill in as a
reference that will give them a review on the heat index.