# Exploring the Impact of Thermal Environment on Student Well-Being in Sustainable Campus Settings
## 2 Methodology
### Overview of the Survey Site
The study also examines the thermal conditions at the UAEU campus, crucial for student comfort and well-being, particularly during Al Ain's summer months with temperatures reaching 39 \({}^{\circ}\)C. The investigation includes distinct seasons of summer and spring at designated sites within the campus, with active student involvement to understand the impact of the thermal environment on their daily activities and overall well-being. In the analysis of Al Ain, UAE's climate data for March and June 2023 highlights significant temperature and humidity variations between spring and summer. While March had mild temperatures (26-27 \({}^{\circ}\)C) and moderate humidity (30-50%), June saw scorching temperatures (37-39 \({}^{\circ}\)C) and lower humidity (30-40%). Moreover, examining data spanning six decades (1963-2023) revealed a consistent temperature increase trend. These findings have policy implications for UAEU's campus, as high summer temperatures may affect student comfort and well-being. Educational institutions and policymakers may consider strategies to mitigate heat's impact on students and create a favorable learning environment, informed by student feedback. A study was conducted to assess the surface temperatures of various objects throughout the day using FLIR's thermal imager. Figure 5 depicts that, in summer 2023, readings showed temperatures were generally cooler in the morning, with organic surfaces like grass and trees recording lower values in the 20 \({}^{\circ}\)C to 30 \({}^{\circ}\)C range. In the afternoon, temperatures surged significantly, with certain objects, such as the shade umbrella, reaching surface temperatures as high as 70 \({}^{\circ}\)C. Surfaces exposed to direct sunlight, including tables, chairs, and artificial items like dustbins, displayed a marked increase in heat absorption. This pronounced heat retention in artificial materials highlights the effect of solar radiation on outdoor surfaces, contributing to an intensified thermal environment and impacting overall comfort levels for individuals in the vicinity. Evening readings saw a dip in temperatures, returning to cooler figures like the morning. Interestingly, shading played a key role: naturally shaded areas often showcased cooler temperatures than artificially shaded or unshaded ones, highlighting the importance of natural covers in heat mitigation, whereas in Spring 2023, Figure 6 revealed cooler morning temperatures predominantly in the 20 \({}^{\circ}\)C, with grass and trees recording the lowest values. By afternoon, a notable temperature spike was observed across surfaces, with chairs and surface floors touching the upper 40 \({}^{\circ}\)C, especially in artificially shaded or unshaded conditions. However, organic surfaces like grass retained a relatively cooler profile. By evening, there was a significant temperature reduction, reflecting morning conditions. The shade, whether natural or artificial, generally offered cooler temperatures, though some exceptions, like adjacent brick buildings in the morning, showed higher temperatures in artificially shaded areas, emphasizing the material's role in heat absorption and retention. Figure 4: Average March and June temperatures (\({}^{\circ}\)C) from 1963 to 2023 in Al Ain City, UAE. Figure 5: Thermal images of the outdoor places in different landscape sites at different times of the day during summer season of 2023. Figure 6: Thermal images of the outdoor places in different landscape sites at different times of the day during spring season of 2023.