MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS’ CONCEPTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Abstract

Environmental issues especially the greenhouse effect and global warming are some of serious problems that the Earth face today. It is very important to understand possible reasons for these environmental phenomena and their effects on human beings and on the planet. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify Turkish middle school students’ conceptions of environmental issues. Eighty four grade 8 students from two different middle schools voluntarily participated in the study. Data were collected from the Environmental Issues Questionnaire originally developed by Boyes & Stanisstreet (1993). Results revealed that students lack of scientific understanding of environmental issues.

Keywords: students’ conceptions, the greenhouse effect, global warming, ozone layer depletion, eight grade students.

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