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Development and Implementation of a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Unit: Exploration of Middle School Students’ SDG Knowledge

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  • Aslı Koçulu

    (Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Faculty of Education, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul 34165, Turkey)

  • Mustafa Sami Topçu

    (Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Faculty of Education, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul 34165, Turkey)

Abstract

Perhaps the largest lesson in our time is to teach students how to sustain our world’s resources while improving well-being for people all over the world. Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the curriculum for K-12 education would help middle students understand why the world’s resources are important, how the world should be treated and protected, and how they play a vital role in its future. However, there is a lack of curriculum material to put into practice regarding SDGs at K-12 levels. This study set out to address this need through design-based research, leading to the development and evaluation of the application of a learn–think–act approach-based Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) unit. This unit was implemented over 8 weeks to help enhance middle school students’ SDG knowledge. Participants were a group of 20 7th grade students attending an environmental education and climate change elective course at a public school in Turkey. Data on SDG knowledge were collected from students through semi-structured interviews before and after the application of the unit. Transcriptions of the interviews were analyzed with deductive content analysis based on the rubric. The results revealed that a learn–think–act approach-based Sustainable Development Goals unit enhanced middle school students’ SDG knowledge.

Suggested Citation

  • Aslı Koçulu & Mustafa Sami Topçu, 2024. "Development and Implementation of a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Unit: Exploration of Middle School Students’ SDG Knowledge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-28, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:2:p:581-:d:1315979
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ainhoa Saitua-Iribar & Javier Corral-Lage & Noemi Peña-Miguel, 2020. "Improving Knowledge about the Sustainable Development Goals through a Collaborative Learning Methodology and Serious Game," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-11, July.
    2. Francisco Zamora-Polo & Jesús Sánchez-Martín & Mario Corrales-Serrano & Luis Espejo-Antúnez, 2019. "What Do University Students Know about Sustainable Development Goals? A Realistic Approach to the Reception of this UN Program Amongst the Youth Population," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-19, June.
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