Determination of the perceptions of secondary education students towards environment and nature

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the perceptions of students aged between 13 and 18 years regarding the environment and nature, and was conducted within the scope of a project entitled 'Environment and Nature Education through a Social Support Approach'. The project was conducted in Kastamonu, Kastamonu Province, Turkey, with 40 students who reside in Kastamonu Social Service and Child Protection Agency. The participants in this study were investigated using face-to-face interviews to determine their changes of perceptions towards the environment and nature. According to the results of survey, the information provided during the education program was successful in raising awareness in the participants of the ongoing global issues of the environment and nature. Nature courses provided in formal education at school are inadequate and do not make progress in anyway or help students choose professions in the future that are related to the environment and nature.