Abstract:

This study aims to study the perceptions of environmental problems of special skilled students studying at the Science and Arts Center using a word-related test.  In the research, the phenomenological design from the quality research method patterns was used. The research was carried out with 72 special skilled students studying at a Science and Arts Center located in the Eastern Anadolu Region in the 2018-2019 educational year. As a data collection tool, the word association test was used and the students were given the key concept of "environmental problems" so that the students were able to make calls on this concept. Then they were asked to make a phrase about the concept of environmental problems. In the analysis of the obtained data, the content analysis was carried out and in this context the themes, categories and codes for the answers given to the word linking test were created. Student calls for environmental problems are expressed under categories of causes, types, solutions and results, and the student calls are found to be more gathered in the category of causes of environmental problems. It has been shown that special skilled students associate environmental problems with the environment they generally experience, not focusing on environmental problems globally. It has also been found that students’ perceptions of environmental issues are not sufficient and there are necessary recommendations in this regard.

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