Effectiveness of Climate Change Awareness Education in Secondary School Students

The Effect of Climate Change Awareness Education on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Secondary School Students: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a climate change awareness education program on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among secondary school students. The study was conducted as a cluster randomized controlled trial in a public secondary school in Istanbul, Türkiye.

This completed cluster randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of a climate change awareness education program on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among seventh-grade secondary school students. The study was conducted in a public secondary school in Istanbul, Türkiye. Two classrooms were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received a structured, multi-component education program including classroom-based educational sessions, visual reminder posters, interactive quizzes, and eco-friendly reinforcement materials. The control group continued routine education during the data collection period. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and two weeks after completion of the intervention. After post-test measurements, the education program was also provided to the control group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being enrolled in the seventh grade of the secondary school where the study was conducted
• Being able to speak and understand Turkish
• Having written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian
• Being willing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a physical or cognitive impairment that prevents communication, watching the educational materials, or completing the measurement tools
• Having long-term absenteeism that would prevent regular participation in the education sessions during the study period
• Not having written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian
• Not being willing to participate in the study