Investigation of Environmental Topics in the Science and Technology Curriculum and Textbooks in Terms of Environmental Ethics and Aesthetics

Abstract

In order to solve environmental problems, it is thought that education should be connected with values. For this reason, it is emphasized that environmental issues should be integrated with ethical and aesthetic values. In this study, 6th, 7th and 8th grade science and technology curriculum and textbooks were investigated to find out how much environmental ethics and environmental aesthetics were mentioned in the topics related to environmental education. In the study, a descriptive methodology had been followed; the data were gathered through document analysis and analyzed in line with the determined themes. The themes related to environmental ethics are respect, value, responsibility, participation and compensation. For environmental aesthetics the aesthetic aspects of the visuals, the emphasis on the beauty of nature and the harmony between pictures and the topic were assessed. At the end of the study, it was found that both in the curriculum and in the textbooks environmental topics are generally explained through a nature-centered approach. However, it was seen that environmental ethics and aesthetics were not mentioned enough. It was determined that responsibility and participation elements of environmental ethics were emphasized but respect, value and compensation elements were neglected.