Determination and Comparison of Elementary Science, Primary Classroom and Preschool Teacher Candidates’ Environmental Attitude Levels

Formation and solution of environmental problems, which have economy, politics and education depends on the mentality and attitudes. This study is carried out to determine and determine the behavior and attitude dimensions of teacher candidates from different branches toward environment. The sample of the study consisted of elementary science, primary classroom and preschool education students attending the first and fifth terms of the program . Environmental Attitudes Survey (EAS) was administered to the teacher candidates. The responses of the teacher candidates were analyzed using SPSS 16 software and the education programs content of each department were analyzed to reason differences among the departments. It was revealed that science teacher candidates' means of environmental attitudes are the highest of all. However, when comparing the first and fifth term students' mean scores, it is interesting that first term preschool teacher candidates and first term primary classroom teacher candidates' EAS mean scores are higher than those of fifth term students. These results point out that it is required to consider important environmental education in higher education.