Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine energy saving behavior and energy awareness of secondary school students and the effects of socio-demographic characteristics (gender, residential area and grade level) on energy saving and energy awareness. The research is a survey model with an approach that aims to describe the current status. A total of 400 6th, 7th and 8th grade students were included in the study. Of the participants, 209 were female, 191 were male.  As for the distribution of the students according to grade levels, 162 students were enrolled in 6th Grade, 145 students were enrolled in 7th grade and 93 students in 8^th grade.  A total of 240 urban students and 160 rural students participated. “Energy Saving and Energy Awareness Scale” was used as data collection tool in the study. The scale consisted of 21 items and 4 factors. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of the scale was found to be 0.80. The data was analyzed using one way MANOVA statistics technique in SPSS 11.5 version program.  We observed that secondary school students had a high level of awareness about renewable energy sources and saving; however, they had a moderate level of interest in energy.

Key words: Energy saving awareness, interest in energy, energy awareness, renewable energy sources.