Dergi makalesi Açık Erişim

EFFECTS OF NATURE TRAINING PROJECTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDES

2018    Korkmaz, M.; Fakir, H.; Alkan, H.

Environmental education aims to create positive and environmental-sensitive perceptions, attitudes and behaviours toward environmental protection. This education primarily focuses on changing the attitudes and behaviours of students, rather than transferring information. Nature training projects provide improving methods to impart information on nature and environment in formal education programmes and develop people that are sensitive to society and environment. In 2014, a project titled "Judas Trees Are Blooming" was implemented in Turkey with the participation of secondary school 6th grade students. The aim of the project was to create positive perception and attitudes regarding nature, forests and the environment. This study investigated and determined the effects of nature training projects on environmental perception and attitudes of secondary school students using the above-mentioned project as a case study. Students that participated in the project had more positive environmental perception and attitudes compared to those who did not participate according to questionnaires and observations given during the project. These positive environmental perceptions and attitudes are the benefits of forests, the importance of plants for our life, the mysteries of the worlds of plants and insects, nature and environmental protection and photosynthesis. Furthermore, the project provided positive contributions for raising awareness and improving the interest and knowledge of the participants regarding nature and the environment.