Perception of Ecological Literacy in Education: A Scale Development Study

The increase in the world population day by day affects the balance of the living world, nature, and environment. Due to unawareness and misuse, the emergence of some environmental imbalances causes the formation of ecological problems. In order to prevent the emergence of these problems or to combat them, everyone in the education process should have an awareness level of ecological literacy. The aim of the research conducted in this direction is to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool for determining the ecological literacy levels of teachers. Within the framework of the purpose of the research, a literature review on ecology and ecological literacy was conducted. An item pool of 96 items was created. Language, meaning and content validity of the items forming the trial scale form was ensured. The data of the research were obtained with the participation of 879 teachers working in public schools in Turkey. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed on the obtained data. The final ecological literacy scale consists of three different components: cognitive (α=.84), affective (α=.87), and behavioral (α=.92) attitudes. According to the results of the analysis, it can be said that the scale developed is reliable enough to measure teachers’ ecological literacy attitudes

Ulucak Höyük neolitik yerleşimindeki kerpiç yapı malzemelerinin teknolojik özelliklerinin incelenmesi.

The main concern of the study is the definition of mud-based materials technologies belonging to Ulucak Höyük (İzmir) Neolithic settlement (Vth level:6400-6000 BC and IVth level: 5990-5660 BC). Representative samples were collected from the eight different mud masonry houses that were unburnt, partially and fully burnt mudbricks, interior/exterior mud plasters, and floor covering mud mortars. Their laboratory tests were based on raw materials analyses composed of compositional properties of mud mixtures and mineralogical composition of clay content together with basic physical and physicomechanical properties analyses. Mineralogical composition of raw materials was identified by the cross-section and thin section analyses using an optical microscope, X-ray diffraction, FTIR analyses. The presence of a mica-illite group of clay with or without kaolinite, clay-sized CaCO3 particles in clay mixture and coarse gravel in a certain amount are the main characteristics that highlight the qualified composition of mud-based construction materials belonging to Ulucak Höyük Neolithic settlement and the advanced mud-materials technology achieved in that period. The mud-based brick, floor covering mortar and interior plaster have different bulk densities in coherence with their particular grain size distribution. The clay type, percentage of clay content, percentage of CaCO3 in clay content, presence of kaolinite in clay content are the indicators introduced in the study in order to examine the neighbouring clay and adobe soil resources and to discuss the archaeological questions on social life in relation to settlement period and building construction. The data achieved are guiding for planning conservation approaches on mud materials of the settlement.Thesis (M.S.) -- Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences. Archaeometry

Different Perspective on Teaching Socio-scientific Subjects

In the ever-changing world based on the needs, curiosity and entrepreneurial drive of the humankind, interest in socio-scientific issues has been increasing every day with the discussion and different approaches in society. It could be suggested that the increase in this interest has been due to both the contribution and damages of these issues to the environment. The present study aimed to analyze the socio-scientific issues instructed with various strategies, methods and techniques in different learning environments in educational institutions as a result of the developments in science and technology due to social needs based on teacher perceptions. The study group included 50 teachers in different fields and employed in various schools in Turkey. The study sample was assigned with criterion sampling technique and the admission criterion was employment in Turkish public schools. In the study, the data were collected with a semi-structured interview form developed by the authors, and the findings were analyzed with content analysis. The study findings demonstrated that the teachers in the study group had different and significant perceptions on the instruction of socio-scientific topics in learning environments

Materials analyses guiding for repairs in conservation: An Historical Bath Structure “Yeni Hamam” in Sivrihisar, Turkey

The Ottoman baths which have survived for hundreds of years are the historical structures still keeping their authentic architectural and technological properties. The study deals with the discovery of the knowledge on materials technology that contributes to the long-term durability of those structures. The authentic materials of an 18 th century Ottoman bath structure, Yeni Hamam (Sivrihisar, Turkey) were examined in this regard, in order to define the specifications for compatible repair materials which is essential for conservation studies. The physical and physicomechamical properties of the original stone, brick, mortar and plaster samples as well as their compositional and raw materials characteristics were examined. The results have shown that a gradual decrease in ultrasonic pulse velocity and modulus of elasticity values was observed through the wall section starting from stone-brick masonry followed by levelling mortar and finishing plaster layers. These values were also in correlation with gradual decrease in density and gradual increase in porosity of the same materials layers, respectively. In terms of raw materials characteristics, all mortars and plasters were found to be highly-pozzolanic materials. A gradual decrease in pozzolanic activity characteristics was also observed within the layers of wall masonry, starting from stone masonry mortars continuing with levelling mortars/plasters and finishing plasters. In addition, the same materials layers present high breathing capabilities and that is also very crucial for a highly-moisture loaded hamam structure. The presence of such healthier relationships exhibits a proper combination of layers contributing to good adherence between their interfaces and a durable structure. The knowledge achieved on compositional properties of authentic materials has vital importance for the preparation of compatible repair materials. The presence salt problem and growth of macro and micro plants on roof, ceiling and floor signal the severe dampness problems in the structure. Further analyses supported with non-destructive testing methods are needed for maintenance studies

Examining the impact of soluble salts on dolomite deterioration

Salt weathering is known to be destructive to the historical buildings, which are constructed of porous stone materials. The study has the focus on salt weathering assessment on dolomite, a building stone that has been widely used in Anatolian monuments. The study is composed of laboratory analyses and non-destructive investigation techniques in order to better understand the causes and mechanism of decay. The artificially weathered dolomite samples by salt crystallization cycles were prepared at various states of deterioration, by exposing them to 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 cycles of NaCl and Na2SO4 crystallization. Both fresh and artificially-weathered samples were examined in terms of their basic physical and physicomechanical properties, such as bulk density, effective porosity (total open porosity), ratio of fine pores, water absorption capacity, thermal dilatation coefficient, ultrasonic pulse velocity and modulus of elasticity. The thermal inertia characteristics of the samples were also determined by quantitative IR thermography (QIRT). The microstructural properties of the samples before and after the salt weathering cycles were investigated by means of stereomicroscope image analyses, XRD and SEM analyses. The state of deterioration or soundness of the samples were also defined by joint interpretation of ultrasonic and thermal inertia data. The results have shown that the change in durability characteristics in dolomite can be assessed accurately by monitoring their performance properties in terms of basic physical, physicomechanical and thermal properties. The data achieved is supported by microstructural properties of the fresh and artificially deteriorated samples. Deterioration of dolomite depending on salt crystallization cycles generally arises at the stone’s weak parts like impurities, veins and cracks within the stone. The XRD analyses of the impurities formed in the cracks as well as SEM analyses verified the presence of calcite veins, iron oxide and clay minerals in the cracks. Ultrasonic and thermal inertia values of fresh and deteriorated samples established the reference/control data that can be used for in-situ examination