ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION THROUGH OUTDOOR SCIENCE ACTIVITIES: LIGHT POLLUTION CASE

Abstract

Although many environmental issues are included in 'Environmental Problems and Their Impacts' topic in the Science curriculum in middle schools in Turkey, light pollution is not mentioned. Yet, light pollution is an important environmental problem causing to negative effects in ecological, economic and astronomical terms. This study discusses light pollution within 'Environmental Problems and Their Impact' topic in Science classes of seventh graders in a middle school in Ordu province located in the Black Sea coast of Turkey. Aiming to create an awareness of light pollution on students, outdoor science activities towards identifying light pollution, its reasons and impacts were carried out. It is an experimental study designed with pre test-post test model. 27 students were asked open-ended questions on light pollution as pre-test and post-test; and after the experimental implementation carried out via outdoor science activities was completed, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 6 students. The correctness rate of the students answers to questions about light pollution increased in the post-test. Numerical measures towards identifying sky brightness in order to create an awareness among students on light pollution as an important environmental problem was made. Interviewed students stated that they liked the outdoor activities and that the activities were fun, enjoyable and easy to remember.