Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of the first two group applications of the project named “We are Learning about the Soil with Tipitop and His Friends” within the scope of the project group activities of The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) “Schools of Nature and Science- code number 4004”. The aim of the project is to introduce 5-6 years old pre-school children to soil and concepts related to soil. The first two group studies of the project were completed between November and December 2009 in the nursery classes of two primary schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in city center of Denizli. Research findings demonstrate that soil related knowledge scores (characteristics of soil, its benefits, living beings on and under the soil, their functions, protecting the soil, erosion) of children in group 1 and 2 in the experiment group of the project have increased in a statistically significant way compared to the control groups. The obtained results prove the efficiency of the project.

Key words: Environmental education, soil education project, science education, pre-school period.