Student science teachers’ ideas about endangered bird species: Hermit ibis, Chukar partridge

This article deals with student science teachers’ ideas about endangered bird species and the protection of birds. The students involved were majoring in primary school and secondary school biology and, as future environmental educators, should have ideas about environmental issues such as biodiversity and endangered species. The aims of the study are to:

· research concepts and opinions of student science teachers concerning the protection of endangered bird species; and

· determine the associations of student science teachers with the terms Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) (Young, 1981) and Hermit ibis (Geronticus eremita).

This study aims to answer the following questions:

· What are the best ways for protecting endangered species as suggested by student science teachers?

· What associations do student science teachers form in their minds when they hear the names of these bird species?