An intervention cum action research study, abstracted as "A Laboratory Literacy Course for Fifth Graders before Formal Learning of Science as a Discipline at Middle School Level", was organized by Jaipur-based researcher and educator Dr Lalit Kishore for rapid documentation of intervention. "Since action research is done by the practitioners for self-improvement, often abstract is written first which is elaborated when required for wider dissemination or when time permits," holds the researcher.
Abstract
At the lower primary level making of improvised apparatus and handling them with right laboratory procedures can contribute towards acquiring scientific and technological literacy. A laboratory course for rural fifth graders was developed and tried as an intervention action research using the discarded mineral water bottles (for making Petri dish, jar, beaker, funnel, deflagrating spoon, spatula, winnower), thick aluminum wires (for designing test tube holder, tripod stand, test tube stand, stirrup) and empty gel pen refills (for cutting and making delivery tubes). A science corner was set up in the classroom and a student manual was prepared to carry out the intervention with one hour daily session in the month of August. Besides the use of readily available, the other features of the intervention have been the training in the use of common tools (scissors, pliers, knife); laboratory procedures (filtering, winnowing, pouring, evaporation, crystallization, decantation, tube cutting, tube bending, designing, assembling, preparing solutions, washing and handling apparatus). A team of three educators validated the course and found it acceptable for grade five and students (N=25) reacted favorably (p≤0.01; DF=2) toward it.
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