This research was carried out to put forward the metaphors produced by gifted students' towards
“environment” concept. A total of 156 primary school students participated in the research in
Ankara B????°LSEM schools in 2010-2011 academic year. The analysis and interpretation of the
data was done with the phenomenological science design, content analysis technique of
qualitative research method. The research data was gathered by completing “Environment is
like ..... Because .....” statement. According to the findings of the research; gifted students have
created 59 different and acceptable metaphors related to environment concept. (2) These
metaphors were classified under 6 different conceptual categories after studied carefully in
relation with their common qualities. At the end of the research, It was understood that 44% of
the gifted students perceived environment as a way of “sensitivity”, 16% as a way of expressing
“life”, 12 % as a way of “importance”, 11% as a way of expressing “reflection”, 8.5% as a way
of expressing “happiness and peace” and 8.5% perceived it as a way of expressing “pollution”.
As a result, metaphors can be used as a important research tool in understanding and explaining
the perceptions of gifted students towards environment.
