Method

 2. Method

The aim of this project is to obtain pigments from household plant waste and examine the impact of these pigments on children's understanding of historical value, cultural background, artistic qualities, and sustainability, while also developing students' attitudes toward cultural heritage.

2.1. Research Model

The study's hypothesis is, "Sustainability can be achieved through pigment production by separating household plant waste and developing children's attitudes toward cultural heritage."

A quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group was used to test the project's problems. This project was conducted using a quasi-experimental quantitative research method. Furthermore, data collection within this design was conducted within the framework of a pretest and posttest framework. The quasi-experimental design, which included experimental and control groups, included an experimental group to which the independent variable [Intangible Cultural Heritage Attitude Scale (ICHT)] was applied, and a control group to which the independent variable was not applied.

2.2. Research Population and Sample

The study population consisted of students studying at the Soma Science and Art Center during the 2024-2025 academic year. The research was a quasi-experimental study based on a pre-test and post-test model with a control group. The experimental group consisted of 24 students and the control group consisted of 24 students, for a total of 48 students. The study group was determined using a convenience sampling method.

Conclusion and Discussion

Countries trying to take precautions against the threat of cultural standardization in a globalizing world have gathered under the umbrella of UNESCO to carry out these efforts in collaboration with major global organizations. The term "intangible cultural heritage," as a natural outgrowth of "tangible cultural heritage," emerged within the scope of UNESCO's programs for the protection of cultural assets. Meetings are held through this organization to identify and raise awareness of traditions that are disappearing and need to be recorded on a global scale. UNESCO, founded in 1946 by 20 countries, including Turkey, has a history spanning nearly 70 years. The Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted by the UNESCO General Assembly on November 16, 1972.

Sustainability, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity are among the problems of our time. We live in a time when awareness of all these issues is increasing.

Today, it is observed that people are focusing on sustainable solutions such as reuse and recycling. While these concepts are considered quick solutions, they cannot counter the damage to nature and the use of chemicals. In recent years, The trend toward naturalism in many areas of life, coupled with environmental problems, has led to a questioning of the paint industry, which serves various sectors, and has brought ancient methods back into the spotlight.

Pretest-posttest application phase of Experimental and Control Group

Pretest-posttest application phase of Experimental and Control Group

 

Sustainability through the production of pigments by separating household plant waste, and cultural heritage awareness cards

 Sustainability through the production of pigments by separating household plant waste, and cultural heritage awareness cards

Canva educational card design Visual- Card preparation PVC coating

 Canva educational card design Visual- Card preparation PVC coating

The stage of leaving the paint pigments to dry

 The stage of leaving the paint pigments to dry

The Straining Stage of Boiled Plants

The Straining Stage of Boiled Plants

 

Separation and Boiling Stage of Domestic Waste Plants

 Separation and Boiling Stage of Domestic Waste Plants

The separated waste plants were broken into small pieces using a robot blender and then subjected to the winging process.

Heritage Pigments – Converting Waste into Cultural Memory-Abtract

Heritage Pigments – Converting Waste into Cultural Memory

 Abstraction:

Cultural heritage, which connects the past and the future, utilizes art to convey values ​​embraced in society. Art is the best tool for preserving cultural heritage and transmitting social memory to younger generations. The unlimited materials approach adopted in visual arts classes is based on the recycling of household waste materials. The use of waste in artistic fields contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage and raises awareness of sustainability. The aim of this project is to examine the past value of plant dyes and pigments, their artistic aspects within a cultural context, and to investigate the effects and gains of the unlimited materials approach implemented from a sustainability perspective on children, thereby raising cultural heritage awareness in students.

The research was conducted by two 11-year-old students attending the Science and Art Center in the 2024–2025 academic year. The research is a quasi-experimental study based on a pre-test and post-test model with experimental and control groups. The study consisted of 22 students in the experimental group and 22 students in the control group, totaling 44. The experimental group received training using the "Sustainability and Cultural Heritage Awareness Training Cards through Pigment Production by Separating Household Plant Waste" program, one day a week for one hour per day for three weeks. The research data was collected using the "Intangible Cultural Heritage Attitude Scale (SOKÜMTÖ)" and a t-test was used for the control group in data analysis. The analyses revealed that the "Sustainability through Pigment Production by Separating Household Plant Waste, Cultural Heritage Awareness Education Cards" had a high impact on improving children's ability to recognize and understand cultural heritage.

This research demonstrates that pigment production through recycling from household waste, sustainability, and cultural heritage awareness training significantly improve children's ability to recognize and understand cultural heritage.