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Is the current environmental science curriculum practical in enhancing the environmental awareness of our lower secondary science students?
Citation
Ong, G. C. L., & Lee, L. K. W. (1994, November 24-26). Is the current environmental science curriculum practical in enhancing the environmental awareness of our lower secondary science students? [Paper presentation]. 8th Annual Conference of the Educational Research Association, Singapore.
Author
Ong, Grace Chyai-Lian
•
Lee, Lucille Kam Wah
Abstract
Government and schools are promoting environmental awareness which are targeted at mainly students. With environmental education incorporated into the science curriculum at the lower secondary, this paper reports on the knowledge and attitudes on environmental issues of these students. Three dimensions of environmental consciousness of students have been studied in this paper-the cognitive, the affective and the behavioural. The aim of this paper is to determine the effectiveness of this educational programme. Since the Secondary One students in 1993 (presently Secondary Two) were the pioneer batch to be taught environmental issues in their Science lessons, they were the obvious choice for study. The present Secondary One students who had yet to receive environmental education at the time of study were chosen as comparison. Different factors such as educational level and stream which might influence the students' extent of knowledge and attitudes were also investigated.
A total of 577 of the lower secondary Normal and Express stream students of two government schools were involved in this study. The methodology for investigation was through a survey. The results of this study have some important implications in the teaching of environmental science These implications and some suggestions can help to improve and promote greater environmental awareness to our Singaporean children who will eventually face the environmental ramification of our action.
Date Issued
November 1994