Student- Center Laboratory And Academy Performance Of Senior Secondary School Science Students In Delta State

This study investigated student- center laboratory and academy performance of senior secondary school science students in Delta State. Nigeria. In line with aim of the study three (3) research questions and two (2) hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design with a pre-test and post-test control group approach. The population of this study comprises senior secondary school students offering science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) in selected secondary schools across Delta State. A total of 200 students were selected using a purposive sampling technique, ensuring that participants come from schools with functional science laboratories. The sample was divided into two groups: Experimental Group (100 students), received instruction through student-centered laboratory practices, involving hands-on activities, group collaboration, and inquiry-based learning. Why Control Group (100 students), were taught using traditional teacher-centered methods, with more emphasis on lectures and theoretical explanations. The instrument for data collection was a Science Achievement Test (SAT) designed to measure students' understanding and performance in science subjects. The post-test results were analyzed using Mean and Standard Deviation why Paired Sample t-Test was used to determine if there is a significant difference in the performance of students before and after the intervention. The findings of the study shows that; student-centered laboratory practices significantly improve the academic performance of science students. However the study recommended among others that government and educational stakeholders should invest in modern laboratory facilities in secondary schools to ensure that students have access to the necessary equipment for practical learning.