Hope Levels of Gifted and Non-Gifted Middle School Students for Preventing Climate Change

The aim of this study is to comparatively examine the hope levels of gifted middle school students and non-gifted students regarding climate change. A descriptive research model was used in the study and qualitative data were used along with quantitative data. The participants consisted of 62 gifted middle school students receiving education at a Science and Art Center in the western region of Türkiye in the 2024-2025 academic year and a non-gifted group of 90 students receiving education at a public school in the same province. The Climate Change Hope Scale and a semi-structured interview form were employed as data collection tools in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted 6 students, three from the gifted and non-gifted groups. Quantitative data were analyzed using a computer program, and qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The quantitative revealed that there was no significant difference was found between the hope levels of gifted students and non-gifted student regarding preventing climate change, while the interview findings showed that gifted students had more pessimistic thoughts than non-gifted student. Based on the results suggestions for teaching content on climate change and research on climate change are presented.