An examination of pollution awareness and prevention in Montana secondary agricultural education programs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the levels of pollutants found in Montana's secondary agricultural education programs as well as the status of pollution prevention education that was being taught. The study was guided by three questions; what were the levels of pollutants that exited in Montana secondary agricultural education programs, what was the level of pollution prevention education that was taught in Montana secondary agricultural education programs, and what were the existing barriers to implementing pollution prevention in Montana secondary agricultural education programs? A written survey was conducted with Montana's 84 secondary agricultural educators. The survey focused on seven content areas; demographics, engines/automotive laboratories, metals/welding laboratories, greenhouse laboratories, woods/construction laboratories, agronomy laboratories, and animal husbandry laboratories. The data was analyzed to provide an overview of Montana's pollution prevention and waste management status in agricultural education. Of the 84 agricultural educators surveyed, a total of 68 useable surveys were returned for a response rate of 80.1%. The results of this study provided new evidence about the state of pollution prevention and waste management practices in Montana's secondary agricultural education programs.