Influence of Interactive Science Centrum to Students’ Science Learning and Attitude

This study investigated the influence of the exposure to interactive science exhibits on the student’s science learning and attitude towards science. It also determined the students’ learning experiences and values acquired after their interaction with the exhibits. The respondents were the 130 fourth year high school students who were randomly sampled. The respondents came from one private and one public school in Cagayan de Oro City and were able to visit the Oro Science and Technology Centrum at the Mindanao Polytechnic State College. Descriptive research design was utilized. Pretesting and post testing were done. The findings revealed that there existed a significant influence of the exposure to the interactive science exhibits on the student’s science learning and attitude towards science. The t-tests showed significant differences at 5% level of significance for both measures namely the science learning test and science attitude test thru the pretest and posttest scores. Generally, the students had wholesome experiences during the visit. They strongly agreed that the exhibits had been attuned to the Centrum’s objectives, that is, to promote science and technology (S & T) culture and to motivate students’ interest in science. The students suggested that the OSTC may be made more attractive and effective, mainly through addition of space and exhibits. The positive demand of the Science Centrum services will remain unharnessed without the implementation of the relevant and vigorous marketing activities. Teachers should place a premium on science centrum visits to enrich classroom lessons as well as to provide hands-on and minds-on experiences on science. The study found out that there is a significant influence of the science centrum visit to the students’ science learning and attitude towards science.

 

Keywords - interactive science exhibits, science centrum, science learning, attitude, scientific values