The impact of an outdoor education project on middle school students’ perceptions and awareness of the renewable energy

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews 2020-12, Vol.134, p.110364, Article 110364
• Main Authors: Buldur, Serkan, Bursal, Murat, Yalcin Erik, Nazan, Yucel, Eren
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Awareness; Nature education; Outdoor education; Renewable energy
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2020.110364

This study investigated the effects of a nature education project on middle school students’ perceptions on renewable energy by using a mixed method research design. The data was collected from 60 middle school students, who participated in a nature education project in 2017 and 2018. Using a mixed method research paradigm, the views of the participants on renewable energy were explored by collecting both qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data was collected from pre and post interviews, whereas the quantitative data was collected from the pretest and posttest applications of the Renewable Energy Perceptions (REP) scale, which was originally developed for university students and adapted to middle school students population in the first stage of this study. The findings from both qualitative and quantitative data agreed on that while the participants had already positive perceptions toward the renewable energy before the study, significant contributions have been made to increase their perceptions and awareness levels about renewable energy during the nature education project. •Outdoor school environments offer rich learning opportunities for students.•A nature education project is conducted with 60 Turkish middle school students.•Renewable Energy Perceptions (REP) scale is adapted for middle school students.•Significant contributions have been made on participants’ RE awareness levels.