Comparing ordinary schools, eco-schools and eco-schools rewarded with green flag in terms of their environmental education

In this study, it is compared the students of some primary schools carrying out Eco-School Project with the students of primary schools not participating in this Project in terms of their environmental education and awareness of environment. Meanwhile, it is studied to find out whether any difference occurs among ordinary schools, eco-schools and the eco-schools rewarded with ?Green Flag?.This study is carried out in six schools in Mamak, Yenimahalle and Çankaya; the districts of Ankara. 300 students have attended the research. A knowledge test and a questionaire are prepared; the knowledge test, consisting of 20 questions, is for comparing ordinary schools, eco-schools, and eco-schools with Green Flag in terms of their knowledge of environment, and the questionaire, consisting of 20 questions, is for comparing these schools in terms of their awareness of environment. SPSS program is employed in the analysis of the data obtained from these surveys.As a result of this study, no statistical difference has been found among the schools in terms of students? knowledge of environment. However, ordinary schools are assigned as more successful in knowledge tests. Besides, eco-schools got ahead in knowledge of environment in comparison with eco-schools with Green Flag.According to the result of the questionaire, it can be inferred that the students of all these schools subjected have a common awareness of environment. In addition, environmental activities are more frequently held in eco-schools. In light of the answers of the students, it is obtained that the environment clubs of ordinary schools are less active. In this sense, the clubs of eco-schools and of the eco-schools with Green Flag are more active. That shows the success of the approach of learning by doing-living which is the basis of the Eco-School Project.A large majority of students in eco-schools with `Green Flag? are members of TEMA while the students of ordinary and eco-schools have no membership in any environmental organization. It is inferred in this sense that the students of the eco-schools with Green Flag are better instructed and guided. It can also be concluded that the students of the eco-schools with Green Flag and of eco-schools are more conscious of following environmental publication.Science Code:Key Words: Teaching Biology, Eco-School Project, Environmental Instruction, Environmental Awareness/ Consciousness