Effectiveness of Activity Supported Earthquake Awareness Education Program in Primary School Children: "I Know What I Need to Do, I'm Not Falling Even If We Shake" Project.

Objective: The objective of this study was to enhance the knowledge base of primary school children regarding earthquake preparedness through the implementation of an activity-based earthquake awareness education program.

Methods: The study was conducted as pre-posttest semi-experimental design with one group of 333 children in a primary school between January and May 2024. A Descriptive Information Form and Earthquake Awareness Knowledge Level Form were the data collection tools. The children were provided with a 6-week (modules) education program. Measurements were made before and after the education.

Results: The mean age of the children was 7.16 ± 0.73 years (6-9), 56.8% were girls, 43.2% were boys, and 25.8% were second-grade children. Earthquake Awareness Knowledge Level Form total score was higher after the education (18.31 ± 1.52) than before (15.51 ± 3.73) (t = -16.144, p < 0.001). The study revealed an increase in children's knowledge regarding appropriate behaviors in the context of earthquakes, encompassing actions to be taken before, during, and after such events.

Conclusion: Modular education and applied activities are effective in increasing children's knowledge levels in the context of teaching a concept such as earthquake preparedness, where the acquisition of life-based skills is of paramount importance.