Secondary school students’ understanding of circular economy and recycling at a small rural school

Abstract

Biology education plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between science and society. This is of high interest and relevance for several reasons helping students to become biologically literate and understanding basic biological concepts and principles as healthcare, environmental issues, and sustainability. The aim of this study was to investigate the understanding of the 9<sup>th</sup> grade and the 12<sup>th</sup> grade students regarding circular economy and recycling. To achieve the objectives, a study was conducted with the convenience sample, involving students from a rural school. The sample was made up of 27 students, including 17 students from the 9<sup>th</sup> grade and 10 students from the 12<sup>th</sup> grade. The prior knowledge of students was assessed by the tool of drawing on the topic of the circular economy and recycling. A two-hour training module was created and carried out, including several practical tasks followed by fulfilling the compliant worksheets. The effectiveness of the module was assessed by the questionnaire focused on the new information received during the module and the general feedback of the module was gathered from the students. The results were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and descriptive quantitative research methods. The findings revealed that the understanding of circular economy and recycling among the 9<sup>th</sup> grade and the 12<sup>th</sup> grade students was different, expressed in the categories of pre-knowledge and the secondary school students are aware of the importance and purpose of circular economy and recycling. The differences appaired in the students’ obtained knowledge and changed attitudes of the 9<sup>th</sup> grade and the 12<sup>th</sup> grade students and the improvement of attitudes and willingness to behave in a sustainable way surpassed the increase of understanding of term “circular economy”.<i> </i>