The research of ecological citizenship levels of secondary school students

Due to the mission attributed to social studies in the creation of citizenship awareness, it has been seen that many studies have been conducted on citizenship education, but since it is a new concept, there are very few student-level studies to reveal the awareness of "ecological citizenship" and to examine this situation in detail. In this context, the aim of the research is; the aim of this study is to examine the ecological citizenship (right, justice, responsibility, participation and sustainability dimensions) levels of secondary school students in 8th grade in terms of various variables. Mixed research design was used in the research and 500 secondary school 8th grade students were reached within the scope of the sample. Data were obtained using personal information form, Ecological Citizenship Scale (EVS), semi-structured interview form and case study completion text form. In the analysis of quantitative data screening method, descriptive method and comparison tests were used. In the analysis of qualitative data, the case study method was preferred. In the research; according to the Ecological Citizenship Scale, it was determined that the general ecological citizenship level of the participants was "low", the level of participation, which is one of the sub-dimensions of ecological citizenship, was low, and the level in other dimensions (right, justice, responsibility, sustainability) was moderate. It has been revealed that there is a significant difference according to gender in the students' views on ecological citizenship scores and sub-dimensions of ecological citizenship. While there is a significant difference in ecological citizenship scores according to the school, location of the school, the province where the school is located, social studies grade average and participation in environmental activities; there was no significant difference between the mother and father's education level and the ecological citizenship scores according to the total monthly income of the family. There was a low negative correlation between students' ecological citizenship score and gender; low level of positive among schools; low level positive among the provinces of residence; low level of positive among the location of the school; low level of positive among participation in environmental activities; It has been revealed that there is a low level of positive and significant relationship between social studies course grade point average. Qualitative data, on the other hand, support quantitative data. Considering the results of the research, it has been suggested to include the concept of ecology, ecological life and especially all aspects of ecological citizenship (participation, right, responsibility, justice, sustainability) in all courses, especially in the secondary school social studies course.