Examine secondary students' climate literacy levels andperceptions based on several variables

Climate change, which is among the important problems of our age; It requires knowing how the climate will break and adapting to it. This situation results in a reduction in climate literacy. In this regard, the geometry method was determined as examining the climate literacy level of secondary schools and their perceptions about climate literacy according to various variables. The sample students created for the research are a total of 471 students in the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades. In the research, survey model, one of the quantitative research methods, was used. The data collection tools used in the study are the Climate Literacy Scale and word association test regarding climate literacy. At the end of the research, the data obtained from the scale were analyzed using SPSS 27. 0.1.0 version. T-test and ANOVA tests were applied to the data obtained. The data obtained from the word association test were transferred to the Excel program and their frequencies, average values and percentages were calculated. The words "climate" and "climate literacy" were given as key concepts in the word association test. Since sufficient data could not be obtained regarding the concept of "climate literacy", it could not be used as a key concept. In the word association test data, it was seen that 8th grade students produced the most different words. When the answers given by female students and male students to the key concept of "climate" were examined, it was seen that the first 3 answers with the highest frequency values were the same. These generated words are season, natural disaster and rain, respectively. By looking at the scale data, it was examined whether there was a difference in the students' climate literacy levels. It has been understood that the level in the 5th grade differs from other grade levels on a class basis. No differentiation was observed between 6th, 7th and 8th grades. It has been determined that female students have higher climate literacy levels at all grade levels in terms of gender. As a result of the research, it was seen that there was a difference in the climate literacy levels of 5th grade students between grade levels and that the climate literacy levels of female students were above the average at each grade level. In conclusion; It was concluded that more research should be done on climate literacy, the deficiencies in the field should be determined, and more studies should be included in this field. Key Words: Climate, Climate Literacy, Science Education, Students, Secondary School.