The purpose of this study was to explore the elementary students' perceptions of Earth systems and environmental issues. A survey was conducted to determine the students' perceptions on the following aveas: (1) the concepts of certainty and tangibility, (2) self-reported knowledge level, (3) perceived danger level of selected eight Earth systems and environmental issues, and (4) their primary information source on these issues. Results indicated that ozone hole, acid rain, El Niño, and global warming were identified by the students as uncertain and intangible issues. Perceived certainty and perceived tangibility were highly positively correlated with self-reported knowledge compared to other relationships. The results also showed that learning from school was the most frequent information source for environmental issues. The second most frequently used source of information was television among several mass media sources. It is hoped that this study contributes to understanding the elementary school students' perceptions toward the selected Earth systems and environmental issues.

• Lee, Hyon-Yong(Department of Earth Science Education, Kyungpook National University)
• Fortner, Rosanne W.(The Ohio State University) | Fortner, Rosanne W.