Determining the knowledge levels of middle school students aboutcommon plants

The aim of this study is to determine the level of knowledge of middle school 5th and 8th grade students about common plants. The study was conducted with 300 students studying at different educational levels in Eyyübiye, Haliliye and Karaköprü districts of Şanlıurfa province during the 2023-2024 academic year. Data were collected through the "Plant Recognition Test" administered to the students. In the first stage of the test, 10 herbaceous plants, 10 shrub plants and 10 tree species were shown to the students and it was measured whether the students recognized these plants. In addition, students were also asked knowledge measurement questions to determine how much they knew about this plant diversity. These 30 plant species were plants that students frequently encounter in their daily lives, and the selection of these plants was based on the help of a lecturer who is a plant systematicist and expert opinions in determining the plants commonly grown in and around Şanlıurfa. The research was conducted with quantitative research method. Survey design was used as the research model and "descriptive survey model" was used to analyze the data. According to the results of the study, it was determined that 5th and 8th grade students obtained the most information about plants and trees from their families. Students' awareness of plant diversity is shaped especially by family interaction. It was also found that female students were more likely to have live flowers in their homes than male students. In addition, it was found that in the families of 5th grade students, fathers worked as seasonal workers at a high rate, while in 8th grade students, both brothers and sisters and fathers worked as seasonal workers at equal and high rates. It was observed that 5th grade students were more likely to work as seasonal workers compared to 8th grade students, and that the educational level of the parents of 5th grade students was generally at the primary school level. The 8th grade students' parents' education level was higher than that of the 5th grade students. The herbaceous plants that the students knew most correctly in terms of plant knowledge were chickpea, radish and parsley for 5th grade students, and radish, parsley, dill and radish for 8th grade students. As for shrub plants, students at both grade levels correctly knew pomegranate, rose, grape and blackberry. Regarding tree plants, 5th grade students were most likely to know pistachio, peach, fig and sycamore trees correctly, while 8th grade students were most likely to know fig, walnut, pistachio and apple trees correctly.