Effect of Environmental Education Program Implemented With University Student Participation on Secondary School Students' Environmental Attitude

Abstract

Study aimed to increase university students' sensitivity and the environmental attitudes of secondary school students through environmental education program. It was planned as quasi-experimental research. The first phase was completed with five fourth-year students who took Social Awareness Course at a university's nursing department in Turkey. In second phase, sample consisted of 264 5th-grade students studying at Secondary School in Black Sea Region. University students implemented Environmental Education Program for secondary school students for four weeks. Mean environmental attitude scale score of 5th-grade students before education was 2.79 +/- 0.32, and after education was 3.51 +/- 0.41. A statistically significant difference was determined between mean total scale scores of university and 5th-grade students before and after education (p < 0.05). It was determined that environmental sensitivity of university students and environmental attitudes of secondary school students were at medium level before Environmental Education Program and high level after education.