Authors : Florence O. Ezeudu, Stephanie Ugochukwu Chukwudi, Stephen Chinedu Nwafor and Valentina Chiegeonu Agugu
Abstract: This study investigated the effects of microscale experiments on senior secondary school student’s achievement and science process skills acquisition in practical chemistry. The study was conducted in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State. The sample was made up of 102 students consisting of 39 male students and 63 female students. Quasi-experimental research design was adopted for the study. The scores obtained from the pre-test and post-test were analyzed using the mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed that, students who were exposed to microscale experiment achieved significantly, higher than their counterparts who were taught using standard experiment. Also, Students who were exposed to microscale experiment had significant higher mean science process skills acquisition score than their counterparts who were exposed to standard experiment. It was further, revealed that there is no significant difference in the mean achievement scores and mean science process skills acquisition score of male and female students in practical chemistry. However, it was further revealed that there is no significant interaction effect of experiment methods and gender on student’s achievement and science process skills acquisition in practical chemistry. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended among others that: practical activities in Chemistry should not be neglected even in the phase of inadequate laboratory. However, microscale experiment which has been identified to facilitate practical activities in miniaturized form should be utilized. Teachers should also be trained on the use of microscale experiment on teaching practical chemistry.
Florence O. Ezeudu, Stephanie Ugochukwu Chukwudi, Stephen Chinedu Nwafor and Valentina Chiegeonu Agugu, 2019. Effects of Microscale Experiments on Senior Secondary School Student’s Achievement and Science Process Skills Acquisition in Practical Chemistry. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 14: 5322-5332.