Table 1. Students’ Perception in the Utilization of Science Laboratory
Statements
Mean
SD
Interpretation
1. Science Laboratory is a secure 3.54
0.53 Strongly Agree
environment
to
conduct
scientific
experiments.
2. Science Laboratory enables students to 3.53
0.56 Strongly Agree
perform well in science activities.
3. There are enough learning resources in 3.40
0.60 Strongly Agree
the Science Laboratory for Science
activities.
4. Students have access to laboratory 3.33
0.69 Strongly Agree
equipment during science class.
5. Students are confident in conducting 3.43
0.55 Strongly Agree
science experiments when laboratory
equipment is available.
6. The use of laboratory equipment is 3.58
0.55 Strongly Agree
essential in science education.
7. The laboratory equipment used during 3.57
0.58 Strongly Agree
science class is in good working
condition.
8. The availability and utilization of 3.51
0.63 Strongly Agree
instructional materials and laboratory
equipment has an impact on overall
science performance.
Overall Mean 3.49
Strongly
Agree
Legend: Strongly Agree = 3.26-4.00
Disagree = 1.76-2.50
Agree = 2.51-3.25
Strongly Disagree= 1.00-1.75
Table 1 shows the students’ perception in the utilization of science
laboratory. The table reveals that the respondents answered “Strongly Agree”
in all indicators which are 1) Science Laboratory is a secure environment to
conduct scientific experiments (M=3.54 SD=0.53), 2) Science Laboratory enables
students to perform well in science activities (M=3.53 SD=0.56), 3) There are
enough learning resources in the Science Laboratory for Science activities (M=3.40
SD=0.60), 4) Students have access to laboratory equipment during science class
(M=3.33 SD=0.69), 5) Students are confident in conducting science experiments
when laboratory equipment is available (M=3.43 SD=0.55), 6) The use of
laboratory equipment is essential in science education (M=3.58 SD=0.55), 7) The
laboratory equipment used during science class is in good working condition
(M=3.57 SD=0.58), and 8) The availability and utilization of instructional materials
and laboratory equipment has an impact on overall science performance (M=3.51
SD=0.63). Overall, the respondents answered, “Strongly Agree” (M=3.49) in
their perception in the utilization of Science Laboratory.
Table 2. Students’ Academic Performance in Science
Academic Performance in
Science
frequency
Percentage
Grading
Description
Scale
90-100
Outstanding
32
45%
85-89
Very Satisfactory
29
40%
80-84
Satisfactory
10
14%
75-79
Fairly Satisfactory
1
1%
Below 75
did Not Meet
0
0%
Expectations
Table 2 presents the students’ academic performance in science. It shows
that out of 72 students, 32 or 45% are outstanding, 29 or 40% are very
satisfactory, and 10 or 14% are satisfactory and 1 or 1% is fairly satisfactory in
their academic performance in science.
Table 3. Relationship between Students’ Perception in the Utilization of Science
Laboratory and their Academic Performance in Science
Degree of Computed Critical Decision Interpretation
Freedom
r
r Value
Learning Style
70
0.029
0.232
Accept
Not
the Ho
significant
Academic
Performance
Table 3 shows the relationship between the students’ perception in the
utilization of science laboratory and their academic performance in science. The
computed correlation (r) is equal to 0.029. Since the computed r is less than the
critical value of 0.232, there is no significant relationship between the students’
perception in the utilization of science laboratory and their academic
performance in science.
IMPLICATIONS:
Based on the stated results and findings, there is no significant
relationship between the students’ perceptions in the utilization of science
laboratory and their academic performance. Therefore, there might be several
factors to be considered that may reflect on the academic performance of the
students such as the form of assessment used. Moreover, one of the studies in
India revealed that if there is no practical assessment in science which may
involve the utilization of science laboratory it does not contribute directly to the
measurement of students’ academic performance.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is important that resources are made available for establishing
laboratories with adequate facilities in schools. It is, therefore, recommended
that practical activities in science as a part of the formal assessment procedures
must be included and take immediate steps or action to equip or set up science
laboratory for the effective teaching and learning process. It is also suggested to
facilitate science teachers being more resourceful by providing support materials
for science teaching and learning so that students may apply the principle of
John Dewey which is “learning by doing” as well as to develop thinking skills,
and attempt or challenged to make some innovations on their own capabilities.