How To Make Science More Interesting? (Research)

Interesting Research Science

Science is the practical and intellectual activity, which encompasses the methodical study of the behavior and structure of the natural and physical world through experiment and observation. Science involves the concerted effort by human beings in trying to comprehend fully the natural world's history as well as how the natural world operates. This is done through experimental science and observational science. Scientists are professionals in science who perform various experiments through collection of information in order to test news ideas and disprove old ones. It is paramount to note that scientists become very famous when they discover new things, which change how human beings perceive nature.

A scientific discovery to a scientist is off paramount importance to them since they draw a lot of inspiration to continue with their careers. There are other numerous scientists who are employed by various corporations in order to generate new knowledge concerning a certain chemical, which can be utilized to produce a particular product. However, such scientists have to work in obscurity since the knowledge, which they generate, is mostly kept as a secret for later development of new technologies or products by their employers.

Background of the Research Problem

Recent research by authoritative scholars has shown that numerous students consider science as a complex and difficult subject and this affects their choice in choosing science as a career. This perception by the students has affected their individual performance where many of them are dropping this noble subject yet it is very vital to humanity because of its valuable discoveries. This is a very worrying trend since the world depends on the numerous discoveries by the scientists in order to come up with latest innovations.

Students should be encouraged to study science since it is among the noble careers in the world with numerous professional courses that are well paying. This is the major why this study is significant since it researches on how science can be made more interesting. There are various methods that have been mentioned in this study and the literature review shows other studies that were previously conducted by notable scholars who were also worried by this astonishing trend. Science needs to be more interesting to the students and they should be motivated in order to pursue this important course.

Statement of the Problem

Main Research Question

Is it possible for science to be made interesting?

This study was conducted by use of an independent variable whereby the sample was fully aware of their expectations in this research. The sample consisted of students that were picked randomly and they were all taken for classes prior to this study in order to ensure that they gave valuable information that was useful in the study. This also reduced the risks significantly.

Review of Literature

There are various reasons why science is done and it includes the societal perspective and the individual perspective. In the field of scientists, there are numerous professions such as earth scientists, geneticists, chemists, botanists, and physicians. Each of these scientists has a certain career path, which they follow, and this is mainly their specialization. It is paramount to note that science is a noble profession, which is highly paid. Nevertheless, there is a great perception among many students that science is a very difficult subject and this makes few students to pursue this valuable career. However, there are numerous methods, which can be applied in order to make science more interesting. Since science is all about exploring the natural world, it should be done in very simplified ways so that they students can have the urge to pursue various discoveries, which can be beneficial to humanity (Tobin, Elmesky & Seiler).

All that they students require is to be challenged to discover the natural world through these discoveries and this will ensure that they gather interest. The government mostly funds Science and various well-wishers since the discoveries bring many changes to humanity. There is need to continue funding science activities and the students can be offered various initiatives such as small paychecks so that they can have an interest in science. There are also corporations who organize numerous science forums, which are beneficial to the students. Such forums offer prizes for the best discoveries, which are done by the students. Such forums ensure that science is turned into a more interesting subject for the students (National Research Council (U.S.). Bell).

It is paramount to note that when students learn science, they attain the great opportunity of learning how the natural world operates; they are able to experiment with various volatile chemicals as well as explore high-interest science topics. Another noble method that can be used to make science more interesting includes integration of multimedia into the science lectures. The utilization of multimedia tools assists the students to picture described processes and events. Such tools include interactive diagrams and videos and this offers hands-on experimentation opportunities. The students should be allowed to figure out individually through conducting an experiment (Fenichel, Schweingruber & National Research Council (U.S.)).

Another method of making science more interesting is through a fun and creative environment for the students so that they can explore the great natures of the natural world. Science does not need to be a serious undertaking for the students since this limits their innovations and it does not allow the students to be more open. A fun and creative environment ensures that the students are more open-minded where they can explore their talents as well as learn many things in the world of science. Science is a very interesting subject when they students are allowed to perform experiments and observations on their own since this expands their minds greatly. The material to be utilized in the science lessons must be easily accessible and comprehendible for the students so that they can know exactly what they are supposed to do. There are instances where the materials used in science lessons are very complex especially when they involve jargons and chemical formulas, which can be very confusing for the students. This makes the students not to understand them and it gives them the notion that science is a complicated subject, which should not be the case (Tobin, Elmesky & Seiler).

Recent research by authoritative scholars has conclusively shown that another method of making science more interesting involves inviting a group of noble scientists in science forums where they offer their expertise and talks to the students. This method ensures that they students get the required expertise as well as motivation to pursue science courses since they have the group of scientists as their mentors. This also ensures that the students have a forum where they can ask questions about science and this makes such forums very interesting. This type of teaching proved to more exciting because of the new approach of tackling the science subject and many of the students got more interested in the subject. This mode of teaching proved very productive since the students were able to exchange contacts with these scientists and they could get advice on how to conduct various discoveries, which in turn increased the student's interest in science. Students should also be allowed to engage in skill-building games in order to ensure that they practice what they have learnt in their lessons.

Another noble method of making science more interesting involves conducting a question and answer sessions for the students where they are picked in random so that they can be the lecturers where they take the class through the previously learnt lessons. This method ensures that students gain the required interest and they are properly prepared for such sessions since any of them can be picked. Such sessions are very interesting to the students since they feel in control of the lessons especially when they are the lecturers and they feel challenged of not being able to conduct these classes. This model of teaching also ensures that those students who have less interest in science up their games so that they do not feel embarrassed in front of their colleagues. This also assists the students to understand better the science subject since they have to learn the previous lessons effectively. Students can ask questions to their fellow classmates if they did not understand. The lecturer can also reward those students who perform exemplary so that it can act as an incentive for the students to perform better.

The use of information technology is yet another method in making science more interesting. The world is gradually turning into a global village because of the humongous changes that are taking place due to information technology. Majority of the students are nowadays techno-savvy where they are bale to access many scientific materials through the internet. The use of information technology creates a lot of interest in the students when studying science since it enables them to access vital information on what they are researching. This information can be very useful in their science studies because there is a lot to be learnt online. Students are also able to access other scientific findings with a click of the button and there are many scientists, who offer free advice on any scientific subject, which interests the students. Latest scientific discoveries can also be found online and this keeps the students abreast with the latest in the science world (Fenichel, Schweingruber & National Research Council (U.S.)).

Statement of Hypothesis and Operational Definitions

This explored on the question on what methods can be applied appropriately in order to make science more interesting for the students. There has been a negative perception by majority of the students that science is a complex and boring subject and this should not be the case since it is among the paramount studies in the world. This study was a descriptive and quantitative research study that was conducted in order to determine what measures could be taken in ensuring that science is an interesting subject to the various students. It is paramount to note that students can be motivated into learning science through the numerous methods that this study has fully expounded about in the literature review. Additionally, the following hypothesis was put forward:

Hypothesis : Science can be made more interesting to the students

Study Methodology and Results

A well-structured questionnaire was developed in the determination of whether science can be made more interesting for the students. The instrument that was used in this noble study was from a previous study conducted by authoritative scholars who had conducted such a study recently. However, this instrument was modified effectively in order to suit the key objectives of this valuable study. The questionnaires were presented to various students in different schools and they were educated on the major purposes of this study. They were also informed that all the information that they were going to provide would be confidential. They were also informed not to give their names so that they could open up in this study and this would provide them with an opportunity to give positive and honest feedback. All questions were effectively structured based on a 5-point Likert scale, which allowed ready quantification of the various outcomes. To be specific, the respondents who were students were asked:

1. What are our views concerning science?

2. Is science a complex and boring subject?

3. What can be done to make science more interesting?

4. Having given our ideas on what can be done to make science more interesting, would u pursue science if those points were implemented?

5. What is the future of science?

A survey of 160 participants was carried out by use of a stratified sampling technique in order to ensure inclusion of all the students in the various schools. Stratification was performed based on the school's localities where forty respondents were drawn for each locality by use of random sampling. The variables were independent since they had the freedom to give their feedback. The sample was selected from each school in each locality that involved four localities which forty respondents or students from each locality. This sample was chosen since it was the best sample for the study since it consisted of students undertaking various courses at the colleges and universities that took part in this study. This was also the best for this study is it had a firsthand experience with science and their views were indeed considered as being valuable for this research proposal.

The research was a quantitative research and the model that was utilized for this research was a true experiment. Well-structured questionnaires were used and the students were asked he five questions as already mentioned in this study. The student sample was initially taken through a class that outlined this the objectives of this study and what was expected of them. This was paramount since majority of the students had shown signs of not co-operating in this noble study. This was notable at the initial stages through observation of the sample. However, this risk was mitigated through the classes, they students were able to comprehend on the numerous objectives of this study, and they all agreed to co-operate.

This study was undertaken over a period of three months so that conclusive information was attainable over such a long duration. The were various limitations which included funding challenges prior to this study, lack of co-operation from the school authorities that took part in this study as well as lack of co-operation from various students before the study. The research design was conducted in such a way that various risks regarding controls were undertaken in order to reduce significantly the threats to validity of information. Examples of these controls included conducting awareness classes to the sample that was to take part in this study as well as holding various forums with the school authorities so that they knew exactly what the study was supposed to achieve. Challenges about funding were handled effectively by the various sponsors that had agreed to fund this study. Measuring of the outcomes was made possible after the research team as well as the utilization of outsourcing a research company that deals with such studies analyzed all the information contained in the questionnaires. The results were compared and a conclusive and well-expounded report was written.

Findings

The research was able to conclude that the already mentioned methods in this study can be utilized to make science a very interesting subject whereby the students can fully enjoy and be able to comprehend the natural world. The research hypothesis was correct in regards to this study. The sample was able to shown how correct the hypothesis was in this study. The utilization of the various methods mentioned in this study will ensure that students gain a lot of interest in studying science. It will also be very helpful to the various teachers who are tasked with teaching science.

Conclusions

The noble study of science is the practical and intellectual activity, which encompasses the methodical study of the behavior and structure of the natural and physical world through experiment and observation. The study of science involves the concerted effort by human beings in trying to comprehend fully the natural world's history as well as how the natural world operates. This is done through experimental science and observational science. Scientists are professionals in science who perform various experiments through collection of information in order to test news ideas and disprove old ones. It is paramount to note that scientists become very famous when they discover new things, which change how human beings perceive nature. It is therefore paramount that students are offered the necessary motivation in order pursue this noble course. Science ensures that the world is abreast with latest innovation and that discoveries are made in order for the betterment of humanity. This study is very vital in ensuring that students are effectively motivated by the numerous methods that have been mentioned herein. This study is very important to the lectures who are involved in teaching science since they can utilize these valuable methods in their teaching classes. Previous studies have also been conducted previously and their conclusions are similar to this study.

References

Fenichel, M., Schweingruber, H. A., & National Research Council (U.S.). Surrounded by science: Learning science in informal environments. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

Gollub, J. P. Learning and understanding: Improving advanced study of mathematics and science in U.S. high schools. Washington, DC [.a.: National Academy Press.

National Research Council (U.S.)., & Bell, P. Learning science in informal environments: People, places, and pursuits. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press.

Tobin, K. G., Elmesky, R., & Seiler, G. Improving urban science education: New roles for teachers, students, and researchers. Lanham, Mar: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.