Understanding Conservation: A Study of Student Attitudes and Understanding of the Effects of Human Activities on Global Ecosystems

dc.contributor.advisorParsons, E. Chris M.
dc.contributor.authorTracy, Sean R.
dc.creatorTracy, Sean R.
dc.date2012-05-15
dc.date.accessioned2013-02-18T20:13:41Z
dc.date.availableNO_RESTRICTION
dc.date.available2013-02-18T20:13:41Z
dc.date.issued2013-02-18
dc.description.abstractThere is growing need for environmental literacy in United States public schools (Caldwell, 1996; Kellert, 1997; Wilson, 1984; Zelezny, 1999). This can be achieved through comprehensive integration of environmental issues, not only throughout science curricula, but also by integrating science into all disciplines (Kellert, 1997; Wilson, 1998). The new ecological paradigm (NEP) scale, developed by Dunlap and Van Liere (1978), can be used to measure shifts in attitudes towards the environment. This study aimed to measure student environmental awareness in a mid-Atlantic, suburban, public school. Results revealed a discrepancy in self-reported awareness of the environment, and their score on the NEP scale. This indicated that students may think they are more environmentally conscious than they actually are. Current environmental instruction in the school and county of focus is limited. Integration of these topics throughout the year will help students become engaged, literate environmental stewards.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1920/8027
dc.language.isoen
dc.subjectEnvironmental education
dc.subjectOutdoor education
dc.subjectEnvironmental paradigm
dc.subjectBiodiversity
dc.subjectAttitudes
dc.subjectClimate change
dc.titleUnderstanding Conservation: A Study of Student Attitudes and Understanding of the Effects of Human Activities on Global Ecosystems
dc.typeThesis
thesis.degree.disciplineEnvironmental Science and Policy
thesis.degree.grantorGeorge Mason University
thesis.degree.levelMaster's
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science in Environmental Science and Policy

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Tracy_thesis_2012.pdf
Size:
1.48 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.65 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: