Kemaliye (Erzincan) Ecology Based Nature Education Project in Participants' Eyes

Abstract

The goal of Kemaliye (Erzincan) Ecology-Based Nature Education Project is to give education people whose job is or is going to be training broad masses of the society about the observing components of nature with their senses, exploring living and unliving entities in their habitats and reflecting their theoretical knowledge on nature to their practices. The participations of the research were, research assistants of universities, teachers, Ph.D. and M.A. students, under graduate students, those working at related institutions is considered appropriate. Participants were attend the research for 9 days during the project program as two different groups (N:60). 19 ecology based nature education activities were involved in project. Three open ended questions were asked to participants to get their suggestion and criticism about the changes in their lives because of the project and how they will spread their gained knowledge and experience. Data obtained from their answers are analyzed by using qualitative research method with inductive analysis. At the end of the project, themes which were related to the sharing the knowledge and increasing awareness (f : 16) and reflecting professional environment and life (f: 29) are the result of the study. It is thought that both education period and participants' experience are beneficial to gain a different point of view and contributions to other science education researches in this Ecology-Based Nature Education Project which supported by TUBITAK. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.