How Do Children Perceive the Biodiversity of Their nearby Environment: An Analysis of Drawings

Hortensia Morón-Monge, Soraya Hamed and María del Carmen Morón Monge
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Hortensia Morón-Monge: Departamento de Didáctica de las CC. Experimentales y Sociales, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
Soraya Hamed: Departamento de Didáctica de las CC. Experimentales y Sociales, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
María del Carmen Morón Monge: Departamento de Didácticas Integradas, Universidad de Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-19

Abstract: The research indicates the importance of learning about our natural environment from an early age to train scientifically literate and environmentally responsible citizens. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of a group of 120 primary school children regarding the biodiversity of their nearby environment (Andalusia, Spain) based on their drawings. For this, we used a qualitative methodology that focused on the analysis of the content. We analyzed the content of each drawing, complemented with written questions and an interview. The different environmental elements (natural, geological, and anthropic) of the children’s drawings were identified and analyzed. The results show how children perceive the biodiversity (plants and animals) of their nearby environment and their low knowledge of the concept of the environment as a system. Likewise, this study allowed for the definition of a series of emerging categories as an instrument of analysis that will serve as the basis for the design of appropriate strategies to improve initial teacher training in regard to science education.

Keywords: biodiversity; perceptions; science education; primary education; drawing; teacher training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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