Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

IN-LAB: MAXIMIZING EXPERIMENT EXPERIENCE INSIDE SCIENCE

LABORATORIES

Puligon, Raizalyn M.; Bacnis, Dymple P.; Tobias, Angel C.;

Mendoza, May A.; Ora, King Aaron F.; Halbino Renzen

Researchers

A Research Paper

Presented to the

Faculty and Staff Of

Diffun National High School

Senior High School

Aurora East, Diffun Quirino

Philippines

MR. PETERSON P. APOSTOL

Research Teacher

Address: Aurora East, Diffun, Quirino, 3401, Quirino, Philippines

Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Rationale

Science laboratories are commonly adapted by students who want to expand their

understanding in science concept and theories. One of the main methods of effective teaching

and learning is to conduct an experiment to gain better understanding of something the student

interested in. By maximizing experimentation, learners will be more likely to achieve these ideas

if they are designed with clear learning outcomes in mind. Students desire to understand how and

why laboratory experiment require to perform. Lacking any one of these, the experience loses

educational value of them. By addressing this issue and enhance authentic research experience

within laboratories situation.

Several studies report that positive attitude toward mathematics and science tend to

decline with age, from primary through the secondary school years. These unfavorable attitudes

could be attributed to the fact that science education in secondary and high school fails to engage

students at satisfactory level. This may result from financial, safety, and practical limitations

restricting the possibility for implementing educational experiences that truly inspire students

(Makransky, et al., 2020). Students often arrive at practical with no clear ideas of the techniques

employed, the skills required to conduct the experiment, or understanding of the underlying

Address: Aurora East, Diffun, Quirino, 3401, Quirino, Philippines

Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

scientific principles. Preparation is key as it effects confidence, attitude and success toward

science laboratories (Croker et al., 2015).

Students who conducted experiments in a lab setting reported higher level of perceived

relatedness, competence, and flow experience. This suggests that visiting outreach science

laboratories beneficial for student perception of connection, effectiveness, and enjoyment during

experimentation (Kirchhoff et al., 2023). They believe that these measures enable student to

achieve optimal learning development. Teachers also expressed the belief that science

experiment can enhance student retention and appreciation of science concept (De Borja et al.,

2020). Science laboratories are crucial process, facilitating active student participation and

bridging the gap between theory and practice.

These laboratory experiments help students to understand scientific concept more

comprehensively and meaningfully (Duban et al., 2020).

Research Questions

The following questions will be the focus of the study:

1.What are the benefits that learners can achieve in performing laboratory experiments?

2.What is the main purpose by performing an experiment inside the science laboratory?

Scope and Delimitation

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Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

The scope of our study is to maximize the experiment experience in a science laboratory.

It is definite to the Grade 11 SHS students of DNHS. The study limits its coverage to the Grade

11 STEM students in Diffun National High School, the main purpose of this study is to explore

ways to enhance the learning and practical engagement of STEM students inside of science

laboratories, this study aims to create a more enriching and effective educational experience for

STEM students.

Significance of the Study

Our study is can be used to improve learning skills, learning development and effective

educational experience.

Students Students can gain more knowledge about the topic and have a better awareness

in scientific concepts and theories.

Teachers By using teaching strategies, the laboratory experiment can explore different

techniques of the teachers that can be effective for student learning outcomes.

Future Researchers Foundation and starting point of the future researchers to build upon

and explore additional aspects related to optimizing the learning effectiveness, engagement and

outcomes of laboratory experiments.

Address: Aurora East, Diffun, Quirino, 3401, Quirino, Philippines

Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents the relevant literature and studies that the researcher considered in

strengthening the importance of the study. The study was designed to maximize the experience

of STEM students in senior high school (SHS) experiments inside science laboratories. It’s also

represent the synthesis of the study to fully understand the research for better comprehension.

Related Literature

The National Research Council’s (NCR) report that the experiences of high school

students nationally are described along with recommendations for improving and supporting

these experiences. Since the NCR report was published, science laboratory experiences for

students have received still greater prominence in U.S. as leaders of the National Science

Teachers Association (NSTA) testified to the U.S House of Representatives Subcommittee on

Research and Science Education. Linda Froschauer, current NSTA President, articulated the

organization’s strong commitment to laboratory experience stating that “Science educators are

firmly committed to the role of the laboratory in the teaching and learning of chemistry, physics,

biology, and earth science”(Campbell & Bohn 2016). Until now the Inquiry-based learning (IBL)

been considered as essential component of science education for more than 50 years. Due to its

long-lasting importance and the extensive literature on the topic, the term IBL is accompanied by

a variety of descriptions and connotations.

Address: Aurora East, Diffun, Quirino, 3401, Quirino, Philippines

Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

The National Research Council (NCR) defined IBL as activities in which learners

develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as an understanding of how

scientists study natural world propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their

work (Kranz et al., 2022). Besides, The American Chemical Society (ACS) continues to

emphasize the importance of a hands-on laboratory experience in all areas of science. The

laboratory environment allows students to gain a first-hand experience with course concepts and

further provides them with the opportunity to explore methods used by scientist in their

discipline (Mojica & Upmacis, 2021).This study, stylized view of lab task allocation is that the

supervisor is responsible for upstream tasks such as problem identification and coordination,

while students are engaged in downstream tasks such as experiments. For example, the National

Research Council (NRC, 1998) illustrates the operation of American life science labs as follows:

“a principal investigator builds a research group by defining the scientific questions to be

addressed, specifying the methods to be used, obtaining necessary funding, finding the suitable

research environment, and attracting the research personnel.

The research personnel in the group usually work on more specific tasks that pertain to

the construction of research tools or the acquisition and analysis of data” (Shibayama, 2018).

According to (Hodson, 2014), and much of the science education research literature, doing

science (laboratory work) is seen as a means of accomplishing both learning science and learning

to do science. In performing laboratory acquire knowledge about subject-specific science

Address: Aurora East, Diffun, Quirino, 3401, Quirino, Philippines

Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

concepts, theories, and explanatory models, and to learn how to carry out scientific

investigations. When the students do not engage in and observe the experiments themselves, they

lose the sense that the data represents something real; the data comes across as model data”

rather than as “actual data” that they themselves had a hand in producing (Finne et al., 2023).

They believe that these measures enable students to achieve optimal learning development.

Teachers also expressed the belief that science experiments can enhance student retention

and appreciation of science concepts (De Borja et al., 2020). It has been described that laboratory

work positively influences science education and enhances science students’ cognitive skills.

Still, shortage of equipment, low quality of laboratory material and overcrowded classes are

significant hurdles in implementing laboratory work (Doosti, 2015). Implementation of safety

precautions and standards as being essential to high-quality educational and working conditions.

In general, academic institutions have made progress in minimizing the risk factors in teaching

laboratories by introducing less hazardous materials and procedures and through supervised

experimentation (Siniyeh and Shehri, 2020).

The students experienced that the presence in the laboratory provided them with an

embodied structure. The students describe the importance of being physically present in the

specialized environment of the laboratory, with all their senses at work. The embodiment

experienced by the students is related to the physical embodiment described by Kersting and

colleagues ( Finne et al., 2023).

Address: Aurora East, Diffun, Quirino, 3401, Quirino, Philippines

Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Related Studies

Experimentation is a central part of science, and therefore, many consider it self-evident

that engaging in laboratory work should be part of science education. However, it is important to

distinguish between doing science and teaching science. Evidence for the quality of teaching and

learning in the laboratory is ambiguous (Finne et al., 2022). Practicum activity emphasizes that

students acquire new experience, anticipation, curiosity, motivation, confidence and the greatest

significant aspect because they have a deeper learning understanding (Putri et al., 2021).

Learning analytics, referring to the measurement, collection, analysis, and reporting of data about

learners and their contexts in order to optimize learning and the environments in which it occurs,

is proving to be a powerful approach for understanding and improving science learning.

However, few studies focused on leveraging learning analytics to assess hands-on

laboratory skills in K-12 science classroom ( Jiang et al., 2023).The students perform hands-on

experiments in small groups cooperatively under the close supervision of the local staff

comprised of “real” scientists and/or preservice teachers acting as tutors using laboratory

equipment that is used in scientific research but not normally available at schools due to its high

costs (Kirchhoff et al,. 2023). Experiential learning provides students ample times and space to

engage to in this process of learning through the senses. This hands-on approach allows student

to contextualize information by experiencing nature and to build knowledge by assimilating in

Address: Aurora East, Diffun, Quirino, 3401, Quirino, Philippines

Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

experience through self-reflection. In comparison with knowledge transfer-based strategies,

experiential learning is superior in fostering knowledge retention and application (Lashley et al.,

2020). According to Rebecca Rivard (2020), This outbreak simulation in Stem courses provides

colleges students with a practical experience that enhances their ability to apply laboratory skills

in real world scenarios. By engaging in grant writing, presentation skills and, experimental

design, data analysis, and adapting to field experiments, students develop a comprehensive

understanding of research processes. This hands on approach helps bridge the gap between

theoretical learning and practical application, fostering improved engagement and understanding

among participants.

A range of theories currently exists on learning, learning styles, and learning provision

should aim to give each learner the opportunity to engage in the manner that suits them best.

Learners, especially those within the STEM curricula, are known to respond effectively to a high

level of practical learning application and to the development of knowledge through experience

(Morton, 2022). The impact of experiment was expressed in the cognitive, affective, and

psychomotor domains. Students stated improvement in their conceptual understanding of science

through laboratory exploration and level of engagement and interaction (Goldina & Barattini,

2018). The aims of Science Education in the Philippines are to develop scientific literacy among

learners, with the guiding principle of the Science Curriculum, Science experiments or hands-on

activities play an important role to achieve its goal.

Address: Aurora East, Diffun, Quirino, 3401, Quirino, Philippines

Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

An individual could put theory into practice student are able to spend time interacting

with samples (e.g., rocks, minerals, and fossils) and conduct activities. Science classes should

happen in laboratory and involves students either in carrying out practical task for themselves or

observing their performance by teacher. Also, Students who were exposed to well-designed

laboratory experience develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, as well as gain

exposure to reactions, materials, and equipment in a lab setting (De Borja et al., 2020). Students’

experiences and perceptions about the laboratory is key to understanding the laboratory

environment and in making curriculum decisions (Thomas & Meldrum, 2018).

Synthesis of the Study

Finne (2022) believed that the experimentation is a central part of science. Campbell &

Bohn (2016) defined that science laboratory experiences for students have received still greater

prominence as reported from the national research council's (NRC).The experience of the high

school students nationality are described along with recommendations for improving and

supporting these experiences. While Kranz (2022) states that NRC defined Inquire-based

learning as activities in which learners develop knowledge and understanding scientific ideas, as

well as an understanding of how scientist study natural world propose explanations based on the

evidence derived from their work. Shibayama (2018) also stated that NCR defining the scientific

question to be addressed, specifying the method to be used, obtaining necessary funding, finding

Address: Aurora East, Diffun, Quirino, 3401, Quirino, Philippines

Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

the suitable environment, and attracting the research personnel. These studies together verified

that the experience in science laboratories support the learners and educators to expand their

comprehension in having an experiment inside science laboratories.

Thomas & Meldrum (2018) found that the students experience and perception about the

laboratory is key to understanding the laboratory environment and in making curriculum

decisions. Goldina & Barattini (2018) added that the impact of the experiment was expressed in

the cognitive affective, and psychomotor domains.

Students stated improvement in the conceptual understanding of science though

laboratory exploration and level of engagement and interaction.

Similarly, Rivard (2020) observed the practical experience of the students to enhance

their ability to apply laboratory skills in real world scenarios. In addition, De Borja (2020)

addressed that students who are exposed to well-designed laboratory experience develop

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

equipment in lab setting. However, Kirchhoff (2023) also found that the laboratory equipment

that is used in scientific research is not normally available at school due to its high cost. These

theories testified that the students who exposed in science laboratories can gain more

understanding and can enhance their knowledge.

Address: Aurora East, Diffun, Quirino, 3401, Quirino, Philippines

Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Doosti (2015) described that laboratory work positive influences science education and

enhance science students’ cognitive skills. Siniyeh and Shehri (2020) added that the academic

institutions have made progress in minimizing the risk factors in teaching laboratories by

introducing less hazardous materials and procedures and through supervised experimentation.

Lashley (2020) analyze that the experimental learning provides students ample time and space to

engage to this process of learning through the sense. Finne (2023) found that the students

describe the importance of being physically present in the specialized environment of the

laboratory, with all their sense at work. While Jiang (2023) reported that the data about learners

and their context in order to optimize learning and the environments in which it occurs, is

providing to be a powerful approach for understanding and improving science learning. Morton

(2022) added that the learners who within STEM curricula, are known to respond effectively in

high level in practical learning application and to the development of knowledge through

experience. These concepts support that the laboratory experiment have a comprehensive

contribution in teaching science and learning science.

Address: Aurora East, Diffun, Quirino, 3401, Quirino, Philippines

Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Chapter 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter describes the method and the procedure of this study which includes

research design, sampling techniques, data, collection, presentation, and data analysis.

Research Design

The research design that will utilize in this study is phenomenology design. The

phenomenology is the study of structures of consciousness as experienced from the first-person

of view. We choose phenomenology because this is the design that appropriate for the problem

that we are investigating, we want to the perspective of the students that their experience. Using

this particular design, we would achieve the result that we are aiming for in our study.

Samples and Samling Procedure

We collect data by using purposive sampling and Semi-structured interview that

participants unit are selecting in grade 11 Stem students which have certain characteristics that

has been determine with different experiencing in laboratory experiment activities. Semi-

structured interview provides flexibility into students’ participants experiencing laboratory

experiment while being focus to research question.

The sample for this study 10 out of 86 grade 11 Stem students are only selected

randomly. The sample will include both male and female students using diversity. Each of grade

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Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

11 enrolled in Stem curriculum active to participate semi structured interview, and able of

effectively communicating in the interview language.

Data Gathering Procedure

To gather data from the participants, the researcher created an interview guide. When the

guide is finished, the researcher will ask the teacher to examine it. Upon the approval of the

research questionnaires, the researcher multiplied them by the number of copies sufficient to

accommodate all the respondents. After that, the researcher will assist the respondents in

understanding the aim of the research study so they can accurately answer the questions by

simply explaining it to them. This will provide the context and importance of their response to

our study. Researchers have to record the respondents' answers during the interview to have

documentation and to contribute to their interpretation of their answers.

Data Analysis

In this chapter will investigate the experiment experience inside science laboratories and

the impact on grade 11 STEM students using the qualitative analysis. Interpretive

phenomenological analysis will be used to accurately interpret the findings and used to analyze

the data collected from the semi-structured interview with a sample of 10 students.

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Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

3.1 Data Collection

We collect data by using purposive sampling and semi-structured interview.The

purposive sampling refers to a group of non-probability sampling techniques that allows for the

selection of grade 11 STEM students with different experience experiment inside science

laboratories. Semi-structured interview provides resilience into student participants that

experiencing experiment inside science laboratory while focusing on the research question.

3.2 Findings

Grade 11 STEM students experiencing struggles and difficulties affecting the experiment

inside science laboratories leading some problems. Common problems that trigger in this are

making mistakes, insufficient with equipment, lacking of experience, having short time, and

problem -solving, causes to unfinished the experiment. They can cope up with this by seeking

some help from the teachers and peers that have the appropriate experience.

3.3 Discussion

In findings show that the experience experiment inside science laboratories affects grade

11 STEM students’ performance. Usual effects like management of time, coping strategies,

sufficient equipment and help of the teachers to manage the experiment. It's important to support

students with effective strategies to improve their experience in having science laboratories.

Address: Aurora East, Diffun, Quirino, 3401, Quirino, Philippines

Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

3.4 Informed consent, secrecy, anonymity, minimizing potential harm, and participant

transparency will be our top priorities when it comes to ethical considerations to our participants.

3.5 In conclusion it highlights the laboratory experiences of grade 11 Stem students to

maximize their knowledge in science concept.

Address: Aurora East, Diffun, Quirino, 3401, Quirino, Philippines

Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Quirino
DIFFUN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Questionnaire

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Contact Number: +639279580803
Email Address: [email protected]