Environmental Sensitivity and Knowledge: Before and After Viewing the Documentary “The Last Drop” Among High School Students

Abstract

Abstract The United States Water Crisis examines freshwater scarcity in the West Coast of the nation. A quantitative survey methodology was implemented in this study to assess the knowledge and environmental sensitivity of high school students before and after viewing the environmental documentary, The Last Drop, produced by National Geographic. The Last Drop is a persuasive environmental documentary with the intent to encourage a reduction of water consumption and conservation of water sources across the globe. A Z-Score and T-test were both utilized in order to evaluate the statistical severity of the survey questions. Survey conclusions were statistically significant and helped to prove that the documentary aided in increasing environmental sensitivity and knowledge after viewing the documentary. This study helps to validate that media is relevant in altering student perception of environmental topics, and visual aids contribute to the overall understanding of the severity of environmental concerns. Conclusions align with surrounding research on environmental documentaries.