Project SCITECA (Science using Technology in Comprehension and Application) an Intervention Program to help Grade 10 Learners with Learning Difficultiesin Science

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The Science Aptitude Test Result obtained a Mean score of 52.16 with standard deviation of 10.03 and Mean Percentage Score of 37.26 meant a below average performance of the Grade 10 students in Science. Out of 303 Grade 10 Learners, 223 or 74% had difficulties in learning Science based on the results of the Science Aptitude Test. Based on the identified number of students with learning difficulties in Science, they were given questionnaires to identify the root causes and the possible solutions to help those students with learning difficulties in Grade 10 Science and consequently improve respondents’ performances in the subject.

METHODS

Purposive sampling was utilized to determine the improvement of 74% of the learners with learning difficulties in Science. Eight intact sections with 28 to 37 total numbers of participants on each section were the participants of the study. In the selection of samples from each section, the researcher considered the pre-test score of the Science Aptitude Test and the number of frequencies respond on the prepared questionnaire of CIP team to determine the sample that exhibits equal academic achievement in Science.The Science Aptitude Test utilized to assess the performance and difficulties in learning Science among Grade 10 students was derived from the MSA NAT Reviewer by Merle S. Alferez. This Science Aptitude Test was composed of 140 items in the field of Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The answer key of this test was also provided by the reviewer. This test was used as the pre-test and post-test.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference on all sections of Grade 10 students before and after the interventions. The best intervention strategies are Problem Solving Activities and Division PRIME. There was an improvement on the academic performance in Science for about 6%, and reduced number corresponding to 12% of students with learning difficulties in Science.

DISCUSSIONS

There was an improvement on the learning difficulties and performance in Science among Grade 10 students. The different intervention strategies give different results on their academic performances. It was the utilization of Problem-Solving Activities and Division PRIME materials that provided better improvement on the academic performance in Science and reduced the number of students with learning difficulties more.