Mental models and cognitive maps of grade 8 students about environmental concepts

The aim of this research is to reach the mental models of the students related to environmental concepts and to present the emerging views with cognitive maps. In this study, case study method was used from qualitative research methods. Qualitative data were analyzed, analyzed and the results obtained were collected for each participant separately. Content analysis method was used for the analysis of qualitative data. The research was carried out in two steps, pilot and master. The students interviewed for the pilot study (N = 5) were not included in the study. The main application of the research was carried out with the 8th grade students (N = 12) of 2017-2018 education year, Kahramanmaraş Province, Elbistan District, Martyr Lieutenant Harun Kılınç Middle School. In the study, the interview form prepared about the environmental concepts was used. The interview form consists of three main questions and 15 questions. The mental models of the students were presented and cognitive maps were formed in the direction of the findings obtained from the interview form. According to the results of the research; it has been found that there are some deficiencies and difficulties in establishing a relationship between these concepts in general in the mental models of students about environmental concepts.