Investigation of science teachers' environmental literacy levels and their views on the environment

This study it was aimed to examine science teachers' environmental literacy levels and their views on the environment. To fulfill the research objective, the descriptive survey method, a quantitative research approach, was employed. The participants of the study are 292 science teachers who volunteered to participate in the study working in public and private schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in Ankara in the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years. Interviews were also held with 34 teachers selected on a voluntary basis among 292 teachers to whom the scale was applied. In the study, the data were obtained from the interviews conducted using the environmental literacy scale and the semi-structured interview form. As a result of the study, scale data were analyzed with the SPSS 25 package program. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed through the content analysis method. As a result of the study, it was determined that different variables affected the total levels of environmental literacy of teachers and the sub-dimensions of knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions. It has been concluded that the volunteering of teachers in organizations working for the benefit of the environment contributes positively to the level of environmental literacy. Another finding is that the in-service training received by teachers does not have a significant contribution to environmental literacy levels. As a result of the study, the data obtained were discussed in conjunction with the studies in the field, and recommendations were developed for the purpose of enhancing environmental literacy specifically among teachers. Keywords: Environment, Environmental Literacy, Science Education, Teacher Sustainability.