Examining the behavior and thinking levels of secondary school students (6th-8th GRADES) towards the environment according to gender

The aim of this study is to examine the behavior and thinking levels of secondary school students towards the environment according to grade and gender. Relational screening model was used for the study. The sample includes a total of 958 (512 females and 446 males) secondary school students. Of the participants, 261 (27.2%) are in 6th grade, 461 (48.1%) are in 7th grade, and 236 (24.6%) are in 8th grade. The sample was chosen randomly. As a data collection tool, Environmental Attitude Scale developed by Uzun and Saglam was used. Using ANOVA, the study shows that there is a statistically significant difference between the levels of environmental behavior in terms of grade (F (2-952), p .05). However, a significant difference was found between the levels of environmental thinking of secondary school students according to gender (F (1-952), p<.01). The level of environmental thinking of male students (X=33.94) is higher than that of females (X=31.39). Key words: Environmental behavior, environmental thinking, secondary school, gender differences.