Abstract

Some research supposes that biotechnology knowledge is an important precursor of attitude formation. The purpose of this study was to determine Turkish pre-service science teachers’ knowledge level and attitude towards application areas of biotechnology. Two questionnaires were administered among 117 Department of Science Education students of Gazi University in Turkey. First questionnaire, which includes 10 items, was used to investigate the knowledge level of pre-service science teachers about application areas of biotechnology. Second questionnaire, which consists of 18 items, was used to examine their attitude towards application areas of biotechnology. Most of the participants had adequate knowledge and positive attitude about biotechnology. It was shown that some science teacher candidates who had negative or neutral attitude, considered application of biotechnology as dangerous and horrible or non-essential. There was found no gender differences in attitudes toward biotechnology. The statistically significant correlation was not observed between knowledge level and attitude. The result of this study can be used for improving the pre-service science teachers’ biotechnology education.

Key words: Attitude, biotechnology, knowledge level, pre-service science teachers, Turkey.