Student's knowledge in science: An evaluation via hydroponic kit

Abstract

Every year, high school students response to choosing a science stream has indicated a declining pattern. It may be due to the lack of technical application of science that students cannot foresee, thus preventing them from having a clear vision of how science and technology could greatly help daily human life. The study aims to assess the knowledge of high school students through STEM education via a project-based learning method using the hydroponic kit. Seventy students from a government school in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, participated in this study. The questionnaire was then evaluated based on the scores and displayed improvement. The mean score for the pre-test of general knowledge was M=3.8857,SD=1.41977, and then it increased to M=6.1857, SD=1.21932 for the post-test. In addition, the mean score for the pre-test of hydroponic system advantages was M=6.2000, SD=1.93068, which increased to M=8.8286, SD=0.65875 for the post-test. Meanwhile, the mean score for the pre-test of disadvantages of the hydroponic system was M=7.2571, SD=2.21121, subsequently increasing to M=9.4286, SD=0.73369 for the post-test. Finally, the mean score for the pre-test of practical knowledge was M=9.3429, SD=2.51307, and then increased to M=15.0571, SD=1.84065 for the post-test. Students’ responses to the tests indicated that their interest in the field of science has increased through their involvement in the hydroponic kit project.