Impact of Novel Engineering-Based Ecological Environmental Education Program on Elementary School Students' Environmental Competency and Attitude toward Using Artificial Intelligence

The purpose of this study is to develop a Novel Engineering-based practical and subject-centered ecological environment convergence education program (20 sessions) and apply it to 25 6th grade students to conduct a survey on environmental competency and awareness of artificial intelligence education before and after class to determine what kind of results. The purpose is to see if there is a change. The results of the study showed that the Novel Engineering-based ecological environment education program had a positive impact on the development of elementary school students' environmental capabilities and their awareness of artificial intelligence education. The results of the environmental competency survey showed significant differences in all areas of reflection and insight, use of environmental information, creative problem solving, environmental sensitivity, communication and conflict resolution, and environmental community competency, and positive attitudes toward thoughts and career paths toward artificial intelligence technology. It is significant that environmental education can be applied in the regular curriculum and that a convergence program containing not only engineering and digital elements, but also humanities and arts elements has been developed to foster the basic language and digital skills emphasized in the 2022 revised curriculum. Based on this study, there is a need to construct a variety of Novel Engineering-based ecological environment education programs for all elementary school students in the future. In addition, follow-up research on a diverse Novel Engineering-based ecological environment education program that combines digital and artificial intelligence elements will be necessary through analysis of various subjects in the ecological environment.