THE IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE LABORATORY FOR THE STEM

LEARNERS IN CAPAS HIGH SCHOOL

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A Research Proposal
Presented to
Senior High School Faculty
Capas High School
Capas, Tarlac

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In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Course
Research in Daily Life 1

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Kyle Austin C. Domiguez

Kimberly A. Celis
Timothy Mark M. Diamzon
Jamie P. Valdez
Monica Adelina S. Olimpo
March 2019

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page…………...…………………………………………………………...........…...i
Table of Contents…………………………………………….…………………………..ii
Chapter 1: The Problem and its Background
Introduction ………………………………………………………….......…………...1
Statement of the Problem……………………………………..….........……………...3
Significance of the Study …………………………………….......…………………..4
Scope and Delimitation ………………………………………………….......……….5
Definition of Terms………………………………………………….……….......…...5
Chapter 2: Review of Related Literatures and Studies
Related Literatures………………………………………………………………........7
Related Studies ……………………………………………………………......…….13
Theoretical Framework……………………………………………………......…….17
Chapter 3: Methodology and Research Design
Research Design …………………………………………………………......….......18
Population and Sampling.……………………………………………......….…..…18
Instrumentation...................……………………………………......…….……...…..18
Data Gathering Procedure……………………………....…………….......................19
Data Analysis ……………………………………...............……….....…...……..…19
Methodological Limitations........................................................................................19
Bibliography...………………………...……………………..…..………………….…...iii
Appendices ……………………………...………………………………...……..………iv

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 Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

“Equipped with five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the

adventure Science. (Edwin Hubble, The Nature of Science, 1954)

The field of Science became bigger and bigger that everything that we can

see and cannot see have explanations and a role in this world. One of the components in

the field of science are the laboratories. Laboratory is a room with special equipment that

scientific experiments, tests, and measurements are being process. That even the smallest

matter or creature can be seen and learn the details of it. Science laboratory is very

important in schools yet some public schools don’t have laboratories. Mainly because of

the lack of finances and so many factors that public schools still don’t have laboratories.

The emergence of Big Science during World War II increased the size of

laboratories and scientific equipment, introducing particle accelerators and similar

devices. “Thomas Edison was behind the formation of the first industrial research

laboratory, Menlo Park, a place where a team of inventors would work together to create

new inventions. His role in forming this “invention factory” gave him the nickname ‘The

Wizard of Menlo Park.’ In Menlo Park, New Jersey, Edison opened a research laboratory

in Menlo Park, NJ, in 1876. This site later become known as an “invention factory,” since

Edison and his employees worked on several different inventions at any given time there.

It was there that Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, his first commercially

successful invention. The New Jersey Menlo Park laboratory was closed in 1882, when

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Edison moved into his new larger laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey.” (Thomas

Edison’s Invention Factory at Menlo Park, 1876)

Philippines Lab 2019 is the Philippines’ leading laboratory exhibition that

highly focuses on scientific instruments and laboratory equipment for various industries

including medical and pharmaceutical, F and B, oil and gas, bioscience, and nano-

science. (Philippines Lab, 2019)

It says in Republic Act No. 10657 an act regulating and modernizing the practice

of chemistry in the Philippines, repealing for the purpose republic act numbered seven

hundred fifty- four (R. A. NO. 754), otherwise known as the chemistry law of the

Philippines.

Moreover, the great demand for the development of scientific laboratory

equipment and services in the Philippines has been conceptualized to cater to these needs

and demands by gathering the professionals and industry experts to showcase the latest

scientific instruments and laboratory equipment, to build business networks, and to

exchange industry information. This exhibition also looks after the demands of the

Philippines’ distributors and scientific dealers, that are keen to take in new products to

supply to the local market that acts as a support and conduit for their foreign principals.

Science laboratories in school are great help for learners to achieve what they

ought to do when it comes to experiments and it unlocks their capabilities in the field of

science.

The researchers will determine the importance of Science laboratory and

utilization to STEM learners enrolled in Capas High School.

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Statement of the Problem

The research study aims to determine the importance of science laboratory in Capas

High School. Specifically, it seeks to find answers to the following questions:

1. How may the STEM learners be describe in terms of:

1.1 Age

1.2 Sex

1.3 Grade and Section

2. How may the science laboratory be describe in terms of:

2.1 Equipments

2.2 Management

2.3 Safety

3. What problems can be identified along the areas by:

3.1 Development of science process skills

3.2 Financial

3.3 Safety

4. What are the implications of the study to STEM learners?

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Significance of the Study

This study aims to prove that the school needs a science laboratory to help the

learners increase their knowledge about science.

To the School. This study will help the school to be aware that science laboratory is

important and can be an example to have a good facility projects.

To the teachers. This study can help the teachers to teach and discuss further to prove

scientifically what they’re discussing is all about.

To the Students. This study will help the students to discover and experience the use of

apparatuses in the experimenting procedures and to know the importance of it in their

studies.

Scope and Delimitation

This study will only focus to the STEM students’ in Capas High School. In over

123 STEM students in academic strand, the researchers will use all the students as

respondents to make the science laboratory possible and to complete this study.

Definition of Terms

These are the words from this research that can help the researchers and the

readers to understand the study more. Words with theoretical and operational definitions.

Laboratory. It is a room with special equipment that scientific experiments,

tests, and measurements are being process.

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 Student. One who is enrolled or attends classes at a school.

Science. Science is a continuing effort to discover and increase knowledge

through research.

Scientists make observations, record measurable data related to their

observations, and analyse the information at hand to construct theoretical explanations of

the phenomenon involved.

STEM strand. STEM is an educational program developed to prepare primary

and secondary students for college and graduate study in the fields of science,

technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In addition to subject- specific

learning, STEM aims to foster inquiring minds, logical reasoning, and collaboration

skills.

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 Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Presented in this chapter are literature, articles and studies related to this research.

These materials are deemed significant for the analysis and interpretation of the findings

to be derived in this study.

Related Literature

A. Foreign

From the review article of “Sciencefirst” (2018) that the science lab equipment

allows students to interact directly with the data gathered. They get a first-hand learning

experience by performing various experiments on their own. Students are made to use the

models and understand different scientific theories and concepts. It is also found that

school science lab equipment and supplies make teaching and learning easy both for the

teachers, as well as for the students. There are several scientific theories and concepts that

are difficult to explain directly from the books. Anatomy models, physics science kits,

and chemistry science kits for instance make it easy to understand the otherwise complex

theories of science.

According to “The Purpose of Laboratory” (2017) said that the laboratory is not a

contest whose object is to get the "right answer." The purpose is to learn how to gain

knowledge by looking at reality, not an attempt to make reality conform to

preconceptions. The important thing is to learn how to be observant, to really see what

happens, and to deal with this information with the strictest integrity. And to understand,

or learn to understand, the meaning of what happens. Practical ability to do experiments

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and analyze data is usually acquired through practice and experience. Practice is very

important in learning any new discipline; such as, for example, a new language. A good

lecture may be very helpful but not fully useful without actual practice. In experimental

science, practice involves solving many problems (i.e. homework) and performing a

variety of experiments (i.e. labs). Practice is essential to being able to make the

connection between theory and experience.

According to “American Chemical Society” (2019) said that hands-on laboratory

science experiences are critical to the learning process across all areas of study, beginning

with kindergarten and continuing through post-secondary education. Research has shown

that students who engage in well-designed laboratory experiences develop problem-

solving and critical-thinking skills, as well as gain exposure to reactions, materials, and

equipment in a lab setting. Sustained investments in hands-on experiences help inspire

students to further their education and prepare them for high-technology careers by

fostering skills sought by potential employers.

According to “Aim Academy” (2018) that another great aspect of labs is that it

helps students who are kinaesthetic learners, especially boys, get a chance to physically

learn about a concept. When I student taught, all the students at the school were required

to take physics, but there were several levels to choose from. The least “academic”

version was generally chosen by the students who also attended technical school, mostly

because of scheduling. This version was catered to their need for a hands-on learning

experience, as each unit was taught with a project as the focus. The students built hot air

balloons to learn about density, bridges to learn about forces, and k’nex cars to learn

about kinematics. Those students who, in other classes, often performed poorly on

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written assignments soared when given the chance to create and demonstrate their

knowledge in a different way. They still had homework and tests, but they also had the

project to let their grade reflect their knowledge rather than punish them for not being

reading/writing learners.

According to “Blogger” (2015) says that it is imperative for schools to have the

latest and high quality science lab these days. Science is different from any other subject.

In order to understand its concepts, one has to look beyond the books and conventional

classroom teaching. Effective teaching and learning of science involves seeing, handling

and manipulating real objects and materials. The knowledge that kids attain inn

classrooms would be ineffectual unless they actually observe the process and understand

the relationship between action and reaction.

B. Local

According to “British School Manila” (2017) says that experimental work is the

key to both a solid understanding of scientific concepts and for motivating an interest in

the subject. Our labs have been designed to ensure that a wide range of experiments can

be conducted at the full age range of our students and across all science subjects. This

includes the integration of the latest technologies available for use in practical situations,

such as digital data logging equipment, digital microscopes and software modeling.

According to “Newsbytes Philippines” (2014) says that the measure, to be known

as the “Science Laboratory for Basic Education Act,” aims to improve the quality of

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science and technology in the country. It also seeks to provide basic and advance S&T

education in high school, respectively in preparation for higher education.

Related Study

A. Foreign

According to “Researchgate” (2007) says that for more than a century, laboratory

experiences have been purported to promote central science education goals including the

enhancement of students' understanding of concepts in science and its applications;

scientific practical skills and problem solving abilities; scientific 'habits of mind';

understanding of how science and scientists work; interest and motivation. Now at the

beginning of the 21 st century it looks as if the issue regarding learning in and from the

science laboratory and the laboratory in the context of teaching and learning chemistry is

still relevant regarding research issues as well as developmental and implementation

issues. This special CERP issue is an attempt to provide up-to-date reports from several

countries around the world. (Chem. Educ. Res. Pract., 2007, 8 (2), 105-107)

According to “Free- Press- Release” (2014) says that these offer students the

opportunity of learning science through hands on experiences. This helps them to

enhance their learning and thinking skills. They help the students to be more competitive

and help achieve their goals through higher level of education and thinking order.

According to (Hofstein and Lunetta, 2003) that the laboratory provides a unique

medium for teaching and learning in science education, and science educators have

suggested that rich benefits in learning accrue from its use.

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 According to (T.O. Adeyemi, 2008) says that researchers have found science

laboratories to be central to the teaching of science in secondary schools (Adeyemi, 1998;

Ige, 2000). Laboratories have been found to be the scientists` workshops where practical

activities are conducted to enhance a meaningful learning of science concepts and

theories (Seweje, 2000; Olubor and Unyimadu, 2001). They have also been found to be a

primary vehicle for promoting formal reasoning skills and students` understanding,

thereby enhancing desired learning outcomes in students (Jeske, 1990; Ogunleye, 2002).

According to (Edgar Jenkins, 2007) says that in 2002, the US Congress called on

the National Science Foundation (NSF) to launch a secondary school systematic initiative

to promote ‘scientific and technological literacy’ and to ‘meet the mathematics and

science needs of students at risk of not achieving State student academic achievement

standards’.

B. Local

According to (Vida Antonio, 2018) says that one of the key components of

effective Science education is the conduct of inquiry-based laboratory activities which

support and reinforce concepts, theories and laws learned in the classroom.

According to (Garabato and Barquilla, 2012) says that the study aims to

determine if the use of a design-and-develop science laboratory kit to enhance the

learning of science concepts increases students’ academic achievement and science

laboratory skills in rural high schools in the Philippines.

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Conceptual Framework of the Study

The framework gives the scope and direction of the study. It consists the input on

the study together with how science laboratory define as “learning experiences in which

students interact with materials and/or with models to observe and understand the natural

world”. Laboratory work becomes a privileged activity in which these domains can be

used for learning purposes as an output of this study.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

FIGURE 1.Paradigm of the study

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 Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY AND RESEARCH DESIGN
This study presents and describes the research design, population, sampling of the

study, instrumentation of the study, data gathering procedure, data analysis of the

study and the methodological limitations of the study.

Research Design

This study will use the phenomenological research design to describe the

importance of Science Laboratory for the STEM learners of Capas High School, school

year 2018-2019

Respondents of the Study

The respondents of this study will be the STEM learners of Capas High

School. There will be 5 (five) STEM learners who will be randomly selected and will be

a part of the study who will go through a face-to-face interview.

Instrument of the Study

In this study, the researchers will conduct a face-to-face interview to

collect information from the 5 (five) STEM learners of Capas High School. The

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parts of the questionnaire are demographic profile and the questions that identify

the importance of having a Science Laboratory. Data Analysis will follow for the

researchers made questionnaire.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researcher made a letter for the approval to conduct the study from the office

of the principal and from the office of the school - based research committee of

senior high school. The research will use the direct method or the face-to-face

interview to gather data.

Data Analysis

The study is a seasonal process in which data will be collected, and

phenomenological interviews will be conducted in English but still translated into

Filipino language as student in Capas High School are largely Tagalog speaking.

In the analysis, the data will be divided according to each research question and a

video recorder is to be use in the interview.

Methodological Limitations

This study will figure out and focus in the importance of Science Laboratory in

Capas High School. The result of the study will be useful to the STEM learnears,

teachers and in school.

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 The respondents of the study will be five (5) STEM lerners from Capas

High School who will be randomly selected as the subjects in the research. In

this study we will conduct a face-to-face interview.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A. Website

Sciencefirst (2018) The importance of advanced science lab equipment in School labs

Retrieved from https://sciencefirst.com/the-importance-of-advanced-science-lab-equipment-

in-school-labs/

The Purpose of Laboratory (2017) The Purpose of the Laboratory Retrieved from
http://teacher.nsrl.rochester.edu/phy_labs/purpose/purpose.html
American Chemical Society (2019) Importance of Hands-on Laboratory Science
Retrieved from
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/policy/publicpolicies/education/comput
ersimulations.html

Aim Academy (2018) The Importance of Science Labs (and how to make them happen)

Retrieved: April 2, 2018 from https://debrabell.com/importance-science-labs-

make-happen/

British School Manila (2017) Science Laboratories

Retrieved from http://www.britishschoolmanila.org/staging/about-

us/facilities/science-laboratories
Newsbytes Philippines (2014) House bill mandates science labs in public schools
Retrieved: April 26, 2014 from http://newsbytes.ph/2014/04/26/house-bill-
mandates-science-labs-in-public-schools/

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Researchgate (2007) The laboratory in science education: The state of the art Retrieved:
April 2007 from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242460263_The_laboratory_in_science_educati
on_The_state_of_the_art

Free- Press- Release (2014) Importance of Laboratory equipments for education

Retrieved: July 16, 2014 from https://www.slideshare.net/eurodyneuk/importance-of-
laboratory-equipments-for-education

(Edgar Jenkins, 2007) What is the school science laboratory for? Retrieved: Nov. 20,
2007 from
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00220270601134425?journalCode=tcus20

B. Books

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 C. Thesis

Blogger (2015) SCIENCE LAB Importance and its Organization

(Hofstein and Lunetta, 2003) The Role of the Laboratory in Science Teaching: Neglected
Aspects of Research

(T.O. Adeyemi, 2008) Science Laboratories and the Quality of Output from Secondary
Schools in Ondo State, Nigeria

(Vida Antonio, 2018) Science Laboratory Interest and Preferences of Teacher Education

Students: Implications to Science Teaching Retrieved: July 9, 2018 from

http://www.apjmr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/APJMR-2018.6.3.08a.pdf

(Garabato and Barquilla, 2012) A Design-And-Develop Biology Laboratory Kit for

Rural High Schoolstudents in the Philippines Retrieved from
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-6091-927-5_26

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