INVESTIGATION OF THE AWARENESS LEVELS OF TEACHER CANDIDATES ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS and RENEWABLE ENERGY

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the awareness levels of teacher candidates who continue their education in primary school education and mathematics and science education departments about environmental problems and renewable energy. The research is based on a correlational survey model. The research sample consists of 222 teacher candidates who continue their education at the Faculty of Education, in the Primary School Education and Mathematics and Science Education departments in the 2020-2021 academic year. "Awareness Scale for Environmental Issues" (Güven & Aydoğdu, 2012) and "Renewable Energy Awareness Scale" (Mutlu, 2016) were used as data collection tools. SPSS.22. analysis program was used to evaluate the obtained data. Descriptive statistics, t-test, Anova, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient methods were used in the interpretation of the findings. In this study, it has been found out that the pre-service teachers' awareness of environmental problems and the concept of renewable energy was at a high level. While there were significant differences in the level of awareness of environmental problems according to the variables of the department, taking the relevant course and class; no significant difference was detected in terms of gender and family income level variables. No significant differences were found in the renewable energy awareness of teacher candidates according to gender, department, family income level, taking relevant courses, and class variables. As a result, it can be said that there is a positive significant relationship between the awareness levels of environmental problems and renewable energy of teacher candidates