Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to explore 10th grade high school students’ perceptions towards environmental issues such as air pollution, global warming, greenhouse effects, ozone layer depletion, and acid rains. In the study, phenomenological research design as a qualitative approach was utilized. Five students from a high school participated to this study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed by doing content analysis. Results of the interviews indicated that students confused the global warming, greenhouse effects, ozone layer depletion, and acid rains. In addition, they thought that there were cause effect relationships between greenhouse effect and ozone layer depletion, and between greenhouse effect and acid rains. Moreover, it was revealed that students had some misconceptions towards these issues. Although there was no direct relationship between these issues, they always made connections between them. Based on the results, it was suggested that the awareness of students should be increased with a variety of environmental education. Scientific activities such as conferences, symposiums, and panel should be executed. Moreover, students should be motivated in the courses during primary, secondary and undergraduate education. Finally, the awareness of people about the negative effects of environmental pollution should be raised by using the media.

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