A Suggested Program in Social Studies Based on International Environmental Observances to Develop Environmental Problem-Solving Skills and Environmental Responsibility for Preparatory Stage Students

This research aimed at investigating the effectiveness of a suggested program in Social Studies based on International Environmental Observances to Develop Environmental Problem-Solving Skills and Environmental Responsibility for Preparatory Stage Students. The research problem is represented in the weakness of Environmental Problem-Solving Skills for Preparatory Stage Students, which was reflected negatively on the extent to which they undertake Environmental responsibility towards their Environment. To address this problem, Two lists of environmental problem-solving skills and dimensions of environmental responsibility that should be developed for students were prepared. the structure of the suggested program and it’s units were designed in detail. The researcher designed two research instruments represented in an Environmental Problem-Solving Skills test and an Environmental responsibility scale. they were applied before and after teaching the experimental topics for a group of second year, preparatory stage students (n=40). This research adopted experimental, one group research design. Results indicated the effectiveness of the suggested program in developing Environmental Problem-Solving Skills and Environmental responsibility for the research group. This is represented in the significance of differences at the 0.01 level between the students’ mean scores in the pre-and post-application of the Environmental Problem-Solving Skills test, whether regarding the test as a whole or regarding each sub-skill, as well as the Environmental responsibility scale. Therefore, the research recommended the inclusion of environmental topics supported by classroom and extra-curricular activities in a way that supports students' ability to solve their environment problems and assume their environmental responsibilities in a positive and effective manner.