ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the level of environmental awareness of primary school students and whether they differ
according to various variables. Descriptive scanning model was used in the research. The universe of the research consists of
primary school students studying in 2, 3 and 4 grade in primary school in Istanbul. The sample of the study consists of 517
primary school students who study in 2, 3 and 4 classes in primary schools in Avcılar and Beylikdüzü districts in Istanbul. In
the research, “Personal Information Form” and “Primary School Environmental Awareness Scale” were used as data collection
tools. The scale has 35 items and four sub-dimensions. Applications of the scales were carried out in the second semester of
the 2017-2018 academic year. SPSS was used in the analysis of the data. Percentage and frequency were calculated from
descriptive statistics methods for demographic data. In addition, the data were analyzed with T Test and ANOVA.
As a result of the data analysis, the environmental awareness of primary school students is high level according to the overall
total averages and environmental responsibility sub-dimensions; it has been observed that there is a high level awareness in
terms of life in nature and transformable energy sources and usage; there is a low level awareness in terms of continuation of
living things. Environmental awareness of primary school students shows a statistically significant difference in the sub-dimension of life in nature according to variables of gender, warning of those who throw trash on the ground and growing
flowers at home. This significant difference is in favor of students of girls, those who warn throwing garbage on the ground
and those who grow flowers at home. Environmental awareness of primary school students shows a significant difference
according to the variable of collecting waste for recycling in favor of those who collect waste for recycling in general total and
sub-dimension of life in nature. Environmental awareness of primary school students shows a significant difference according
to the variable of thinking whether it is appropriate to feed animals at home in favor of those who think that it is appropriate to
feed animals at home in the general total and sub-dimensions of life in nature and environmental responsibility. Environmental
awareness of primary school students shows a statistically significant difference according to the class variable in subdimensions of continuity of living things and transformable energy resources and their use. Environmental awareness of
primary school students show a statistically significant difference in environmental responsibility sub-dimension according to
the father education level variable. Environmental awareness of primary school students does not show a statistically
significant difference with respect to the mother education level and whether they have pets at home or not.