Perception of insects: Changes in the negative perspectives and identification of conceptual misconceptions in 9th grade students through education

This study was conducted with the aim of changing the perception and image of insects in society through education and highlighting their ecological role. Insects constitute an important group of organisms with a wide distribution across various ecosystems; however, they are often among the most feared and anxiety-inducing creatures, carrying a negative reputation in public perception. The research methodology involved a pre-test-post-test control group experimental design, including the administration of a questionnaire to ninth-grade students. The students were presented with an educational program covering topics such as the introduction of insects, their ecological significance, and benefits. After the educational intervention, the questionnaire was administered again to collect and analyze data. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for data analysis. The findings indicated that students developed a more positive outlook on insects and became aware of their ecological role following the education. Moreover, a decrease in fear levels and misconceptions about insects was observed. This study has demonstrated that the perception of insects within society can be positively altered, and that misconceptions and knowledge gaps about insects among the target audience of 9th-grade students can be rectified through applied educational models. The results obtained from the study offer new perspectives on developing education and awareness programs aimed at better understanding the contributions of insects to nature and fostering a more positive attitude towards them.