Abstract
The ever-increasing anthropogenic pressure on the environment necessitates a comprehensive approach to its study and the formation of environmental literacy in society. Environmental education, which should be implemented at all levels of the educational process – from primary to higher education – is a key factor in raising citizens with a high level of environmental awareness. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of methods of teaching natural sciences in shaping the environmental awareness and culture of modern youth. Questionnaires, observations, monitoring of academic achievements, and statistical data processing using Cronbach's α coefficient were used to determine the internal consistency of the results. The results of the control sections indicate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology based on the principle of “research-engage-expand opportunities” using online tools and practical methods in the formation of environmental awareness and culture among students. The use of project-based, problemoriented, interactive, and field-based learning contributed to the development of critical thinking, practical skills, and a responsible attitude towards the environment, and also influenced the students' academic performance: the average grade increased by 8% (to 7.9 points); the average level of student learning increased to 64.3% (from 60 to 75% with a growth dynamic from sufficient to high; the average knowledge quality coefficient increased to 72.3%, and the learning coefficient to 52.9%. The results of the students' self-assessment showed positive dynamics: from a predominance of low (31.9%) and medium (42.3%) levels of environmental culture at the beginning of the experiment to an increase in the proportion of students with a high level (31.5%) after its completion. A gradual transition from an anthropocentric type of environmental awareness to an ecocentric one was revealed, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed teaching methods. Prospects for further research lie in an in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of educational models in different age groups and the integration of environmental knowledge into an interdisciplinary context to form comprehensive environmental competence.
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