**2. Key Objectives**

In order to better support science teachers during education for EC, this study provides a qualitative view on the current level of EC of Dutch lower secondary students. The research question is: How can Dutch lower secondary students' EC be characterized? This characterization will be based on EC knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, and reflection, together forming student EC competence.

### **3. Research Design and Methodology**

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 42 students (F: 25, M: 17; average age 13.3). Participants were interviewed at their own schools, which were selected to ensure geographical spread representing the urbanization level of the Netherlands (90.5% urban, 9.5% rural). Interviews lasted 11 minutes on average. The interview questions related to students' EC knowledge, attitudes, behaviour, and reflection. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded using open coding, and interrater agreement was calculated for 70% of the coded data (with ultimately 86.2% agreement between researchers, before discussion of coded data).
