The Impact of an Environmental Education Program on Responsible Behavior and Environmental Knowledge and Attitudes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Education, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.

2 Department of Educational Sciences,AK.C., Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran

3 Department of Educational

Abstract


The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of an environmental education program on responsible behavior as well as environmental knowledge and attitudes among sixth-grade elementary students. This applied research employed a quasi-experimental design. The statistical population consisted of all sixth-grade students in Aliabad-Katul County during the 2023–2024 academic year, from which 50 students were randomly selected and assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received a 12-session environmental education program covering four units: water conservation, plant and animal protection, development of appropriate environmental behavior, and waste management. Data collection instruments included Sachdeva’s (2021) Responsible Environmental Behavior Scale and the Environmental Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire by Leeming, Dier, and Bracken (1995). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Findings indicated that the environmental education program significantly improved responsible environmental behaviors (protective behavior, green consumer behavior, and waste-management behavior) as well as the environmental knowledge and attitudes of students in the experimental group compared to the control group. In conclusion, environmental education—by simultaneously activating cognitive, affective, and behavioral components—helps cultivate informed citizens with positive attitudes and responsible behaviors toward the environment, and can serve as an effective strategy in school curricula.

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