School Should Improve Lab Education

Anwar
Sun, 04 Jan 2026 17:26:29 +0000
Pakistan School Muscat

Hope this forum serves as a async conversation tool for Parents concerned with their KIDs education, allowing them for a more thought-out responses, rather than needing to answer or respond on the spot.

Cambridge Science syllabus is generally more focused on practical learning compared to many traditional, theory-heavy curricula. It emphasis on practical skills, where Students should learn how to plan experiments, use laboratory equipment, take measurements, and record results properly. These practical skills are treated as core learning outcomes, not just add-ons.

Lessons in Cambridge Science syllabus often revolve around scientific inquiry, asking questions, testing ideas, and drawing conclusions from evidence. Students are encouraged to think like scientists, not just memorize facts.

At levels like Cambridge IGCSE, assessment includes Practical exams or Alternative-to-practical papers that test understanding of experiments and data analysis. This means practical understanding actually matters for grades.

Science is not just a collection of facts; it is a way of thinking and experimenting. Science laboratories play a vital role in helping students understand concepts through practical experience. However, in PSM, due to various reasons, lab education is treated as a “formality” rather than a meaningful learning process. To improve science education, school must take concrete steps to strengthen laboratory learning.

School should make laboratory work an important part of assessment. When lab performance does not significantly affect grades, students often take it lightly. For example, instead of only asking theoretical questions about acids and bases in exams, schools should also assess students on performing titration experiments, recording observations, and explaining errors. This encourages students to actively engage in lab work.

School should also focus on hands-on experiments rather than teacher demonstrations. Many students simply watch experiments or copy results from lab manuals without understanding them. For instance, when learning about electricity, students should be allowed to build simple circuits themselves using batteries and wires. This practical involvement helps them understand concepts more deeply and builds confidence.

Reducing the number of students per lab session can greatly improve learning. Large groups make it difficult for every student to participate. By dividing classes into smaller batches, school can ensure that each student gets equal opportunity to handle equipment and perform experiments safely.

Another important improvement is better training for teachers. Conducting labs requires specific skills, including safety management and experimental guidance. For example, a well-trained teacher can explain why an experiment failed and turn it into a learning opportunity rather than simply correcting the result.

School can also use low-cost and real-life experiments to make labs more accessible and interesting. For instance, water filtration experiments using sand and charcoal, or testing the pH of household liquids, help students connect science to everyday life. Such experiments do not require expensive equipment but are highly effective for learning.

Proper time allocation and maintenance are equally important. Rushed lab periods reduce understanding and increase mistakes. School should provide separate and sufficient lab periods and maintain equipment regularly. Providing basic safety tools like gloves and goggles also helps reduce fear and accidents.

Finally, school should encourage curiosity and critical thinking in labs. Students should be allowed to ask questions, make mistakes, and discuss unexpected results. For example, if a chemical reaction does not produce the expected outcome, students should analyze why it happened instead of simply rewriting the “correct” result.

Improving lab education requires commitment, not just resources. By valuing hands-on learning, proper assessment, teacher training, and student curiosity, school can transform science labs into spaces of discovery. Strong lab education not only improves academic performance but also inspires future scientists and problem-solvers.

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