The Effects of Climate Change Education Program using Newspaper Articles for 5th Graders on Awareness and Attitudes toward Science

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of climate change education program using newspaper articles on scientific awareness and attitudes toward science of 5 graders. Domestic news articles about heat wave and fine dust were searched to develop a climate change education program and eight lessons of climate change education program were developed based on previous research-each consists of four lessons following the order of cause, phenomenon, influence and response. This program was applied to chosen thirty six 5 graders of K elementary school placed in S city. The effects of the program were analyzed and overall score of scientific awareness and attitudes toward science increased compare to pre-test scores. According to analysis on each sub-elements, the score of scientific awareness and value increased and participants recognized the usefulness of scientists. Participants’ score on attitudes toward science showed that they explained the law of nature for the first time. In conclusion, the climate change education program can supply chance for elementary school students to experience positive change in scientific awareness and attitudes toward science.