‘Recycling’ in the Context of Value-Focused Sustainability: Workshop Process Experiences of Secondary School Students for Knowledge-Skill Development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63556/ankad.v10i1.348Keywords:
Sustainability, Values Education, Upcycling, Environmental Education, WorkshopAbstract
Value-based sustainability is critical for increasing individuals' environmental awareness and sensitivity and for encouraging them to take active action regarding sustainability. The purpose of this research is to develop middle school students' knowledge, awareness, and skills regarding the concept of upcycling, to increase their environmental awareness, and to reveal their experiences related to the workshop process through an upcycling workshop designed within the framework of a value-based sustainability approach. Thirty-two 6th-grade students studying at a public middle school in the provincial center of Kocaeli participated in the study during the 2023-2024 academic year. The research was designed with an emancipatory/developmental/critical action research design based on a qualitative approach. Data were obtained from worksheets related to the Know-Want-Learn (KWL) strategy, worksheets related to the prepared activities, and workshop process evaluation forms designed to assess students' individual learning outcomes during the semi-structured workshops. The obtained data were analyzed using content analysis. The analyses revealed that the students initially had incomplete knowledge about the concept of "waste," but this knowledge significantly improved following the workshop activities. Additionally, significant advancements were made in the concepts of "waste types" and "recycling." The workshops contributed to students' accurate knowledge of upcycling and their awareness of core sustainability values such as savings and responsibility. Students designed various creative projects using upcycling methods; this process strengthened their environmental awareness and allowed them to showcase their creativity. Research findings indicate that workshops not only support students' manual skills and creative thinking skills, but also play a significant role in developing environmental awareness and sustainability awareness. It was concluded that such activities significantly contribute to students' development of environmentally responsible attitudes and increased sustainability awareness.
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