THE ROLE OF PRACTICAL SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS IN ENHANCING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AT THE SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL

Abstract

This research investigates the role of practical science experiments in enhancing the academic achievement of secondary school students. Science education, crucial for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, has traditionally relied on theoretical methods. However, recent studies suggest that hands-on learning, such as practical experiments, can significantly improve student engagement, understanding, and academic performance. Despite these benefits, there is limited empirical evidence on the direct impact of practical science experiments at the secondary school level. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative data from pre- and post-test assessments and qualitative data from student surveys and teacher interviews. The participants were 200 secondary school students, with 100 students in the experimental group (who engaged in practical science experiments) and 100 students in the control group (who followed traditional theory-based lessons). The objective was to assess whether practical experiments could enhance students’ academic performance and understanding of scientific concepts.