Science laboratory environment, attitudes toward chemistry of third year students in government supported secondary schools in Indang, Cavite / Laarmie F. Marges.

Thesis (Master of Arts - - Science Education) Cavite State University.

Includes bibliographical references.

Graduate Studies Open Learning College (GSOLC)

MARGES, LAARMIE, FERAER Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite, April 2003. Science Laboratory Environment, Attitude Towards Chemistry and Academic Achievement in Chemistry of Third Year Students in Public Secondary Schools in Indang Cavite: Adviser: Dr. Cecilia B. Banaag

The study was conducted to determine the relationship between the science laboratory environment, attitude towards chemistry and academic achievement in Chemistry of third year students in public schools in Indang, Cavite. Specifically, it aimed to determine the: 1) perception of third year high school students of the science laboratory environment in terms of student cohesiveness, open-endedness, integration, rule clarity and material environment; 2) students' attitude towards chemistry; 3) students' achievement in chemistry; 4) relationship between the science laboratory environment and students' attitude towards chemistry; 5) relationship between the science laboratory environment and students' achievement in chemistry; and 6) relationship between students' attitude towards chemistry and their achievement in chemistry.
The study used the descriptive correlational method and used a rating scale as the principal instrument in gathering the needed data. The total number of respondents involved in this study was 604 third year high school students in public secondary schools in Indang, Cavite.
The statistical tools used in this study were frequency counts, percentage, means, standard deviation and the Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient.

Upon analysis and interpretation of the data gathered, several findings were revealed regarding the students' perception of the science laboratory environment.
The students were very cohesive. The students were moderately interested in doing prescribe activities. Theories and concepts gained in the lecture, were found to be will integrated in the laboratory. Rules were found to be very clear to students and the material environment was also found to be moderately constructive. In general, the laboratory environment was found to be very favorable.
On the other hand, their attitudes on the level of enjoyment was found to be at an average level, while they value chemistry at a high level. The attitudes of students toward chemistry was found to be highly favorable.
Moreover, students' achievement in chemistry was found to be moderately satisfactory. They did not have a high level of achievement in chemistry.
With regards to the relationship of the different variables, it was the study found out that science laboratory environment and its areas on dimension namely, student cohesiveness, integration, rule clarity and material environment, were found to have a highly significant relationship with attitudes toward chemistry. However, open-endedness was found not to be significantly related.
Similarly, the science laboratory environment with respect to dimensions; student cohesiveness, integration, rule clarity and material environment were found significantly related to the achievement of students in chemistry, while open-endedness was found to be not significant.
Attitudes toward chemistry and its areas; enjoyment and value, were found to be significantly related to achievement in chemistry.

Submitted to the University Library 10/28/2003 T-2660