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Journals / Ordu Üniversitesi Bilim ve Teknoloji Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 16 Sayı: ISRIS 2026 Özel Sayı

Developing Environmental Awareness Among Elementary School Students and Their Families Through Citizen Science Practices

Vatandaş Bilimi Uygulamalarıyla İlkokul Öğrencileri ve Ailelerinin Çevre Bilincinin Geliştirilmesi

Betül Yaşar(Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı)0009-0007-9526-0233
Demet Şahin Kalyon(GAZİOSMANPAŞA ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-4321-4880
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-10-22
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings revealed a significant increase in students’ environmental awareness scores following the citizen science practices.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This study aimed to examine the effects of citizen science practices on the environmental awareness of fourth-grade elementary school students and their parents.
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Key Findings & Data:The participants consisted of 18 fourth-grade students enrolled in a private elementary school in Ankara, Türkiye, and 17 parents.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings revealed a significant increase in students’ environmental awareness scores following the citizen science practices.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:vatandaş bilimi · çevre bilinci · çevre eğitimi

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of citizen science practices on the environmental awareness of fourth-grade elementary school students and their parents. The study was conducted using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. The participants consisted of 18 fourth-grade students enrolled in a private elementary school in Ankara, Türkiye, and 17 parents. Quantitative data were collected using the Environmental Awareness Attitude Scale administered to students and the Environmental Awareness and Environmental Sensitivity Scale administered to parents, while qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews. During the implementation process, student–parent pairs participated in environment-focused citizen science projects, collected data for approximately one month, and shared their findings through presentation sessions conducted over a six-week period. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired-samples t-tests, whereas qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. The findings revealed a significant increase in students’ environmental awareness scores following the citizen science practices. Similarly, significant improvements were observed in parents’ environmental awareness and environmental sensitivity levels. Qualitative findings indicated that both students and parents developed greater environmental awareness, adopted more environmentally friendly behaviors, and benefited from the collaborative learning opportunities provided through family participation. Overall, the results suggest that citizen science practices constitute an effective approach for enhancing the environmental awareness of both students and parents and offer valuable contributions to environmental education initiatives supported by family involvement.

Özet

Bu araştırmanın amacı, vatandaş bilimi uygulamalarının ilkokul dördüncü sınıf öğrencileri ve ebeveynlerinin çevre bilinci üzerindeki etkisini incelemektir. Araştırma yakınsayan paralel karma desenle yürütülmüştür. Çalışma grubunu Ankara ilinde bir özel ilkokulda öğrenim gören 18 dördüncü sınıf öğrencisi ve 17 ebeveyn oluşturmaktadır. Nicel veriler, öğrencilere uygulanan Çevre Bilinci Tutum Ölçeği ile ebeveynlere uygulanan Çevre Bilinci ve Çevresel Duyarlılık Ölçeği aracılığıyla; nitel veriler ise yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler yoluyla toplanmıştır. Uygulama sürecinde öğrenci–ebeveyn ikilileri çevre temalı vatandaş bilimi projelerine katılmış, yaklaşık bir ay boyunca veri toplamış ve altı hafta süren sunum etkinliklerinde elde ettikleri bulguları paylaşmıştır. Nicel veriler eşleştirilmiş örneklem t-testi ile nitel veriler ise içerik analizi yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, vatandaş bilimi uygulamaları sonrasında öğrencilerin çevre bilinci puanlarında anlamlı bir artış olduğunu göstermiştir. Benzer şekilde ebeveynlerin çevre bilinci ve çevresel duyarlılık düzeylerinde de anlamlı gelişmeler belirlenmiştir. Nitel bulgular öğrencilerin ve ebeveynlerin çevreye ilişkin farkındalıklarının arttığını, çevre dostu davranışlar geliştirdiklerini ve aile–çocuk birlikte katılımının öğrenme sürecini desteklediğini ortaya koymuştur. Sonuç olarak vatandaş bilimi uygulamalarının hem öğrencilerin hem de ebeveynlerin çevre bilincinin geliştirilmesinde etkili bir yaklaşım olduğu ve aile katılımı ile desteklenen çevre eğitimi uygulamalarına önemli katkılar sunduğu söylenebilir.

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Cite This Article

Yaşar, B., Kalyon, D. Ş. (2026). Developing Environmental Awareness Among Elementary School Students and Their Families Through Citizen Science Practices. Ordu Üniversitesi Bilim ve Teknoloji Dergisi, Cilt: 16 Sayı: ISRIS 2026 Özel Sayı. https://doi.org/10.54370/ordubtd.1960906

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