PERCEPTIONS IN PRIMARY EDUCATION: WATER AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

This study introduces the first stage of an investigation which aims to gather the assumptions, skills and attitudes towards water of a group of third cycle primary students. The investigation is carried out in a neighbourhood on the coast in Malaga, Spain. The aim is to discover perceptions of water, comprehension of concepts that relate to water, and to reflect on the knowledge acquired during this stage of education. Based on the insights of the study, a didactic approach will be designed that encourages understanding and awareness of the environment. The context is presented as a hypothetical situation where students will have to respond to the inhabitants of another planet. Two methods of information gathering were proposed. One using written expression as a medium, and the other using artistic expression, both creative in nature, and adapted to the theme and level of study. The results show several typologies of knowledge and concepts of water, the environment, and environmental health. The diverse ways of perceiving water should be held in account for future didactic proposals for education and for environmental health. (C) 2019 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy.org.UK