PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS’ ACQUISITION OF SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS VIA HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT (15 - 28)

Abstract

This study is about the acquisition of science process skills by primary school pupils by means of hands-on teaching and learning, and authentic assessment method. Their interest and motivation in science were also inquired. The participants for the 5 months study consisted of 24 year-five pupils in one primary school in Selangor, Malaysia. The instruments used were an observation checklist, sets of science process skills achievement test, and interviews. Data collected from observation and achievement tests were analysed using rubrics, while information from interviews are analysed using NVivo 2.0. Findings from this study showed that the acquisition of science process skills among the pupils has increased tremendously and their interest and motivation in science were high. They were also able to apply the knowledge gained from hands-on learning to solve authentic problems. Therefore it is suggested that hands-on science teaching and learning as well as authentic assessment are used in schools.