University Science-Based Education Positively Impacts College Student Views of Water Issues

Abstract

Core Ideas This study measured student opinions about water issues. Students participated in a paired‐survey instrument of an environmental science class. tSudent views of water resources were affected by gender and college major. Science‐based education changed preconceived water resource opinions of students. Most students entering universities in the United States have established views on water resource issues. The purpose of this 25‐year study was to measure the impact of science‐based education on student opinions of water quality, water quantity, and drinking water issues. A total of 8523 students enrolled in the introductory environmental science class between 1993 and 2017 at the University of Idaho provided opinions to specific water‐related statements by taking a repeated measures survey that was administered at the beginning (Week 1) and end (Week 15) of the course. Over 60% of students initially believed (Week 1) that water pollution had gotten worse in the last 25 years; however, by Week 15, 62.8% believed that water pollution had actually decreased. Males were more likely to consider water cleaner, safer, and more plentiful than females. A majority of students initially felt that bottled water was safer than urban tap water (66.1%); however, by the end of the course only 13.4% thought that bottled water was safer. The most important finding of this study was that through a science‐based education process, students learned and were willing to change their initial ideas about water issues to align with views that are most accepted by science. Consequently, as long as this and other similar courses at universities across the country are taught from a science‐based perspective, they effectively align student opinions with current scientific thought and improve student preparation for making sound decisions about the environment in an increasingly complex world.

Assessing water literacy at a primarily undergraduate university in Ohio

“…Of our survey respondents, 62% reported that they first considered whether water was safe before drinking it (Table 1). A common misconception among university students is that bottled water is safer to drink than tap water (Mahler, 2019; Saylor et al., 2011), and this may explain why 44% of the students that we surveyed primarily drank bottled water on campus (Table 1). Similarly, 36% of students at West Virginia University regularly drank bottled water (Leveque & Burns, 2018), 44% at Purdue University (Saylor et al., 2011), 47% at the University of South Florida–Tampa (Graydon et al., 2019), and 48% at Hong Kong University (Qian, 2018).…”

“…(2011) found that female college students drank more bottled water and that undergraduates drank more bottled water than graduate students. When assessing what students consider when making decisions about what to drink, many studies (Leveque & Burns, 2018; Mahler, 2019; Qian, 2018; Saylor et al., 2011) point to the impacts of safety perception, organoleptic perception (e.g., taste, odor, color), convenience, family habits, and connections to environmental issues. Saylor et al.…”

“…(2011) and Mahler et al. (2019) also report that many college students incorrectly assume that bottled water is safer to drink than tap water and that recycling eliminates the environmental impacts of bottled water.…”

“…Vedachalam and Mancl (2010) reported low water literacy in Ohio State undergraduates but surprisingly strong support for implementing a regional wastewater reuse program after students had been given more information about the initiative. Throughout a 25‐year period, Mahler (2019) measured the impact of environmental science course instruction at the University of Idaho and showed that students consistently changed their initial viewpoints about water‐related issues to those that were better supported by science.…”

University student views of local versus global environmental issues

“…Although less than 40% of students considered over‐population a problem in the United States, gender was found to be an important factor evaluating this environmental issue. Earlier classroom survey work has shown females to be more pessimistic than males about environmental issues including water and energy (Mahler, 2019; Mahler & Barber, 2017).…”