Science Education for Environmental Education? Primary Teacher Perspectives and Practices

Abstract

This article presents the results of a survey of primary managers and teachers to assess the relationships between experience, attitudes and practice in science and environmental education. Analysis, from a concerns theory perspective, shows that science, by virtue of its high National Curriculum status, has progressed to collaborative and refocusing concerns with substantial management support, whilst environmental education, in spite of perceived importance, remains at the status of personal concerns, due to insufficient pragmatic management support and pressure to cover National Curriculum subject content. Four broad groups of attitudes towards science and environmental education are identified which highlight the relationship between experience, attitudes, practices and views of science and corresponding practices and attitudes relating to environmental issues and education. The significance of this to science and environmental education is discussed.