Investigation of pre-school teacher candidates' mental models for the concept of biodiversity

This study was conducted in order to examine the mental models of pre-school teacher candidates towards the concept of biodiversity. In this context, the study group consists of 208 pre-school teacher candidates studying in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades of the preschool teaching department of a state university in the 2021-2022 academic year. The model of the research was created on the basis of mixed method. The study group was determined according to the convenient sampling method from the non-selective sampling methods. Two different data collection tools were used: "Semi-Structured Interview Form" and "Drawing Form". The data obtained from the data collection tools were written down and the codes and themes were determined. Qualitative and quantitative analysis methods were used in the analysis of the data. While interpretive content analysis was used in the analysis of qualitative data, inferential statistical analysis were used in the analysis of quantitative data. As a result of the analyzes, it was seen that pre-school teacher candidates expressed biodiversity as living diversity, they mostly included the plant kingdom in the drawings reflecting biodiversity, and there were misconceptions about the classification of living things. It was determined that the mental models of pre-school teacher candidates for the concept of biodiversity did not differ according to the class level they were educated and the type of high school they graduated from. As a result of the findings, it is suggested that the environmental education courses given in undergraduate education should be enriched in terms of the concept of biodiversity.