Gold mines as a local socio-scientific issue: Middle school students' informal reasoning

The purpose of this study is to determine the awareness and informal reasoning of 7th-grade middle school students regarding a local socio-scientific issue (L-SSI) related to gold mining. In this context, the Kışladağ Gold Mine Operations (KGMO) in Uşak province was examined as an L-SSI. The study, designed as a case study, was conducted with 43 seventh-grade students enrolled in schools near the mine and in distant regions. Data were collected through a questionnaire consisting of open-ended questions. The responses were analyzed according to three informal reasoning modes: economic, ecological, and social. According to the findings, the majority of students in the mining region were aware of the KGMO through their families and relatives, while most students in the distant region were not aware of the KGMO. When examining the students' informal reasoning, it was found that most students expressed undecided views, with economic reasoning being a significant determinant. Specific recommendations are provided for the inclusion of L-SSI in current science education studies.