IMPACT OF AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF FUNCTIONAL LABORATORIES ON STUDENTS ATTITUDE IN SECONDARY SCHOOL PHYSICS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper on availability and utilization of functional physics laboratories on students attitude
in Nigeria is a discourse proposing the practical laboratory based component, which is
intended to enable students undertake laboratory work necessary for explaining practically
their understanding of the theories, ideas, principles and concepts of physics they were thought
theoretically. Both the theory and the practical work are important in the overall study and
assessment of students in physics because no one component is more important than the other.
For Nigeria to develop into a nation that will be technologically independent and self-reliant,
there must be available laboratories for the study of physics and those available must be used
for practical activities. The paper explains the composition of the functional laboratories, the
facilities that are classified into human and physical facilities is to promote and encourage
inquiry and experimentation, these two processes are important in learning both the method
and content of science. Access to adequate science equipment can impact students learning
opportunities as well as affect their attitude. It has been concluded that the students’ attitude
to any subject has been proven to lead to good performance in that subject. Negative attitude
towards a certain subject makes learning difficult, while positive attitude stimulates students
to put more effort and leads to the high achievement in that subject.