Environmental Attitude, Knowledge, and Awareness of Teenagers at a Title I High School in Ventura County

Abstract

As humanity enters the era of the Anthropocene, in which humans are the primary drivers of planetary changes, educators face a challenge of providing opportunities for today’s youth to develop proenvironmental attitudes, knowledge, and awareness. This quantitative study assesses the environmental attitude, knowledge, and awareness (AKA) of 11th and 12th grade students enrolled in an environmental science course while attending a Title I high school in Oxnard, California. To assess their AKA a survey was administered during their class meeting time. The results of this study were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results indicated that students in this area are encouraged by their teachers to shown environmental concern, they find value in environmental education, they are aware of local environmental issues, and feel that they can make a difference in their local and global environment.