Examining the opinions of science teachers regarding pre-disaster preparation and disaster education

Natural disasters are events that significantly negatively affect human life, the environment and ecological balance. It is vital that societies are prepared for these events. Disaster Education is an educational process that aims to raise awareness of individuals, communities and institutions against disasters, to be prepared and to fight effectively. The success of these trainings depends on the quality of the applied program and curriculum. However, the quality of the training received by the teachers conducting this training and their opinions and suggestions on this subject are also important for the success of this training. The aim of this study is to determine the opinions of science teachers in Turkey about disaster education and pre-disaster preparedness and to make various suggestions for the development of disaster education in the science course based on the data obtained. This research utilized a mixed research method, comprising both quantitative and qualitative research methods. In the quantitative research, the relational survey model was used, and the "General Disaster Preparedness Scale" was employed as the data collection tool. In the qualitative part of the study, teachers' opinions on disaster education were obtained through a semi-structured interview method. The data were analyzed using a descriptive analysis method. The research was conducted with eight science teachers working in eight schools in Kastamonu province and four science teachers who experienced the February 6, 2023 earthquake in Adıyaman, Malatya, Kahramanmaraş and Hatay. In this part of the research, data was collected with semi-structured interview questions. The results of the study emphasize the necessity of disaster education according to the majority of teachers. Opinions were reached regarding the lack of content related to natural disasters in the program and the inadequacy of its presence only at one grade level. They also stated that these subjects should be included at every grade level and that more practical activities should be included in the content.