A Study on the Environmental Knowledge and Skills of Middle School Students and Their Mothers -Related to 1st Grade of Middle School in Su-Won City-

환경에 대한 중학생과 중학생 어머니의 지식과 기능정도에 관한 고찰 - 수원시 중학교 1학년을 중심으로-

This study was designed for middle school students in Su-Won City to find out their level of hope in environmental education and who had not been introduced to environmental skills and knowledge as a separate subject in their school curriculum. Additionally, the result of the study was expected to provide basic environmental education material to teachers who are on the front line in our environmental education efforts. The mother used to be very influential on her children's thinking and behavior to a large degree. Acknowledging these facts, students and their mothers were chosen for this study The questionnaire from each of the two groups were compared and studied. The questionnaire, comprised of 23 questions, was completed during the period of time from March 6 through March 11, 2000. The schools that participated in the study were 5 junior high schools in Su-Won City and the participants were students and their mothers. The questionnaires were given to 450 students and their mothers to be completed and returned. A total of 379 student questionnaires and 323 mother questionnaires were received for examination. The results of questionnaire were analyzed by using SPSS/PC 8.0 software program with Frequencies Analysis, Mean Analysis, Reliability Analysis, Correlation Analysis, Paired Samples T-test, and $\chi$$^2$-test. The questionnaires generated the following results. The reliability coefficient was 0.847 from the students and 0.895 from the mothers. The level of interest in an environmental education curriculum was 24.3% from students and 86.0% from mothers. Interestingly, the gender difference of level of interest in an environmental education curriculum was 25.7% from male and 23.1% from female. The difference in the environmental function levels between female and male students was statistically significant(t=-4.109, p<0.001). For mathematical skills in environmental functions, the students and mothers thought trash, air pollution, and lack of forest were problems however they showed inactive support and unreasonable attitudes toward the problems that they themselves pointed to for solving the problems. Under the environmental problems solving issue, the significance between two groups was 0.014(P<0.001) and the result dictates there was no correlation. The t-test showed no difference in environmental knowledge level between student genders. The knowledge level between students and mothers was related each other. The Paired Sample t-test between students versus mothers on environmental skills and knowledge was 0.000*(*P<0.001) and it showed there was correlation between the two groups. With this study, educating mothers should be noticed as a great priority in environmental education that will lead to a more positive environmental outlook from our students.