Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to find primary and secondary school teachers’ attitudes towards nuclear energy and nuclear power plants and also to investigate the factors effect their attitudes. A total of 161 teachers, 123 elementary school teachers and 38 science teachers participated this study. A questionnaire developed by Özdemir and Çobanoğlu (2008) was administrated to collect the data. In addition, a demographic information form was used to identify demographic features of the teachers. Statistical methods were used for data analysis. Results obtained from this study showed that, majority of the teachers were oppose to use of nuclear energy and nuclear power plants construction and the reasons were associated with accidents, negative consequences of natural habitat, ecological balance and organisms. It was also found that teachers’ attitudes were changed in terms of gender, subject and school variable. It was revealed that women, elementary school teachers and teachers working in primary schools have more negative attitudes towards nuclear energy and nuclear power plants. 

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