Examining Middle School Students’ Attitudes Toward Resource Recovery in Terms of Selected Variables

Akın Filik; Işıl Koç

doi:10.56741/IISTR.jpes.002519

Authors

Akın Filik İstanbul University
Işıl Koç
isilkoc@iuc.edu.tr
İstanbul University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1905-9590

Keywords:

Environmental Education, Middle School Students, Recycling Attitude, Resource Recovery

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine middle school students’ attitudes toward resource recovery and examine these attitudes in terms of gender, grade level, and household waste separation level. The study was designed as a descriptive survey within the framework of quantitative research. The sample consisted of 249 students enrolled in Grades 5-8 at a public middle school located in Istanbul, Türkiye. Data were collected using a “Personal Information Form” and the “Attitude Scale Toward Resource Recovery for Middle School Students”[1]. Students’ attitudes toward resource recovery were determined based on the total scores obtained from the attitude scale, whereas a Household Waste Separation Level Index was constructed using the items related to waste separation practices at home. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Group differences were examined through an independent samples t-test and analysis of variance, while relationships between the variables were investigated using correlation and linear regression analyses. The findings showed that students’ attitudes toward resource recovery were generally high. A significant difference in resource recovery attitudes was found according to gender, in favor of girls. No significant difference in resource recovery attitudes was found according to grade level. A positive and significant relationship was found between household waste separation level and attitudes toward resource recovery. Moreover, household waste separation level significantly predicted students’ attitudes toward resource recovery. These findings indicate that supporting school-based environmental education through family involvement and household waste separation practices is important for fostering middle school students’ attitudes toward resource recovery.

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Author Biographies

Akın Filik, İstanbul University

graduated from the Science Education Program at İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Türkiye in 2022. He completed a non-thesis master's degree at Anadolu University, Eskişehir, Türkiye in 2024. Since 2025, he has been pursuing a master’s degree in Science Education at İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Türkiye. He has been working as a science teacher since 2023. His current research focuses on technology-supported problem-based learning, sustainable living awareness, environmental attitudes, sustainability education, and science education. (email: akin.filik@ogr.iuc.edu.tr).

Işıl Koç , İstanbul University

is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Science Education at İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Türkiye. She received her Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Iowa, USA. Her research interests include environmental education, STEM education, sustainability education, teacher education, and technology integration in science education. She has authored numerous national and international publications and supervises graduate research in science education. She is also actively involved in national and international projects focusing on environmental and STEM education. (email: isilkoc@iuc.edu.tr).

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