This master’s thesis studies the knowledge and attitudes towards bees among fourth and eighth grade primary school students. Bees, as ubiquitous insects, hold cultural significance in Slovenia, where the country is internationally recognized for its honey and other bee products. The motivation for this study arose from the scarcity of research in Slovenia addressing the relationship between people’s attitudes towards bees and their knowledge about them. The primary aims were to determine whether students’ knowledge increases between the fourth and eighth grades and whether this knowledge is associated with their attitudes towards bees.
An empirical study was conducted using a quantitative research design, applying descriptive and causal non-experimental pedagogical methods. Data collection involved a knowledge test on bees and a questionnaire assessing students’ attitudes towards and interest in bees. The research was carried out in five primary schools, each comprising two fourth-grade and two eighth-grade classes.
Findings indicate that both fourth and eighth grade students possess satisfactory knowledge of bees. Their attitudes and interest levels were likewise satisfactory. Eighth graders demonstrated higher levels of knowledge, whereas fourth graders exhibited more positive attitudes and greater interest in bees. Correlations between knowledge, attitudes, and interest were found to be weak.
The study offers valuable insights into students’ knowledge, attitudes, and interest regarding bees, providing a useful resource for educators and other professionals engaged in pedagogical work in this area.
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