Metaphorical Perceptions of Secondary School Students Towards Earthquake: The Case of Türkiye, Italy, Romania, Poland and Crotia

In this research, it was aimed to determine the perceptions of students studying at secondary school level in different European countries towards the earthquake phenomenon. For this purpose, phenomenology design, one of the qualitative research methods, was adopted. In the research process, metaphor form was used as a data collection tool. The data were analysed descriptively and percentages and frequencies were tabulated and analysed. 126 secondary school students were involved in the research process. Based on the findings obtained in the research, it was concluded that the participant students have a fear-based perception of earthquake and see earthquake as an element of power. In addition, it was determined that most of the students did not have sufficient knowledge about earthquake, had uncertainty about how to act in case of a disaster and considered the effects of earthquake as an inevitable disaster. Based on the results, earthquake education should go beyond theoretical knowledge and be supported by practical exercises and simulations. Natural disaster education should be integrated into course contents and teachers should be equipped with in-service trainings on this subject. In addition, disaster awareness should be reinforced in the family environment by organising information seminars for parents.