The Effectiveness of Green Chemistry Experiments on Students’ Achievement in Electrochemistry

Abstract

Green chemistry could play an important role in the implementation of our national chemistry curriculum to ensure the success of education on sustainability or environmental education. Green chemistry experiments use the concept of reducing the use of chemicals by replacing chemicals with benign chemicals and recycled materials to approximate sustainable use of materials. This quasi-experiment study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the implementation of green chemistry experiments on students’ achievement in electrochemistry. The pre-and post-tests were administered to 22 secondary school students who took Form Four Chemistry subject and they were randomly divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment group carried out electrochemistry experiments based on the green chemistry lab manual developed while the control group carried out convensional chemistry experiments based on the practical textbook provided by the ministry. Data obtained were analysed using t-tests. Results showed significant difference for the treatment group in the pre and post achievement test [t(10)= −2.823, p<0.05]. Therefore, it is indicated green chemistry experiments may have a positive impact on students’ achievement in electrochemistry. The green chemistry experiments seemed to engage students in actively learning the topic and facilitate teachers to diversify their laboratory pedagogy.