This study aims to determine fifth graders’ opinion of environmental problems and their recommended solutions. The research sample includes 110 fifth graders in two secondary schools in the district of Yeşilova in Burdur and one secondary school in the village of Salda in 2013-2014 academic semester. The fifth grade was chosen because social studies in the second academic semester of the fourth grade includes topics meant to raise awareness about environmental issues.
By analyzing the relevant studies in the literature and consulting researchers studying environmental issues, problems were identified, and a semi-structured interview form was created. Qualitative descriptive analysis and content analysis were done to evaluate the data collected.
According to this research, most students attributed the meaning of “pollution” to the concept of environmental problems and indicated “waste” as the main environmental problem in their neighborhood. Students said that Lake Salda reminded them of “natural beauty.” It was found that students focused on dimensions of pollution such as “waste and garbage” in response to questions about Lake Salda, and that they believed problems facing Lack Salda could be solved primarily by the “municipality.” Most students indicated that their personal responsibility for Lake Salda was “preventing pollution.”