Utilization of stellarium-based activity: Its effectiveness to the academic performance of Grade 11 STEM strand students

Abstract

This study was carried out to understand and bring to fore if a simulation-based activity is effective on the academic performance of the students which has a general outlook to enhance meaningful science learning. This study focused on effectiveness of the stellarium-based activity on the academic performance of Grade 11 STEM Strand students of Sotero B. Cabahug FORUM for Literacy, School Year 2017 - 2018. The respondents of this study were composed of 28 students. The data pointed out that data analysis results shows that by conventional criteria, the differences of the scores on the different competencies is considered to be extremely statistically significant Results revealed that the stellarium-based activity is effective in teaching the cycles of the sky. Statistical results showed that the academic performance of the respondents improved when taught using the stellarium-based activity. Thus, it is best to learn astronomy using simulations. Computer simulations have demonstrated the potential to facilitate this process by highlighting students' misconceptions and presenting plausible scientific conceptions. From the results, students are recommended to use stellarium, where the process often involves open-ended investigations into a question or a problem, requiring them to engage in evidence-based reasoning and creative problem-solving, as well as problem finding. Furthermore, science educators are encouraged to use stellarium in teaching the cycles of the sky and as anchors of the future teachers must always come equipped for these challenges charged on them, thus engaging students to learn and develop the potentials needed from them to take part for the betterment of today's world. Most importantly, future researchers are commended the development of a localized stellarium-based activity will greatly affect the academic performance of the student will surely boost their interest in learning astronomy education.