THE ATTITUDE OF GIRLS TOWARDS THE STUDY OF SCIENCE IN SOME SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOL

THE ATTITUDE OF GIRLS TOWARDS THE STUDY OF SCIENCE IN SOME SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOL

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

          Science is a way of looking at the world. It ties to seek answers to question like “how”? Why? And “When”? About nature and man caused events. Science, when taught, it encourages the student to ask question and to take critical looks at the situation and problems they may encounter. Kline (1991) views science as having substantive implication of teaching man about the universe. Its accessibility to man’s reason and its functioning can be described by laws. Science give factual knowledge about the physical world and man’s knowledge of himself.

Science is a discipline, a body of knowledge about the universe, the structure and reaction of matter, the conservation and transfer of energy and interaction between living things. Some also regard science as a systematized body of knowledge derived through investigation, using specific procedures often called the scientific methods. The concepts, laws, generalization and theories are all formulated using the scientific finding to interpret and explain natural phenomenon.

In studying science, one is searching for explanation to the natural objects and phenomena in terms of products. Science is attempting to find out the nature of matter, how they were formed, they react together and after reaction, what is the consequences. In attempting to find out generalization, principles, theories are made. It is agreed by (Stan) that science make students’ attention to be directed towards matters which are significant to the students as well as the society. If their creative traits are awakened or developed they can also harness or manipulate many things to their advantage and the society at large. For example, knowledge about rust and way of preventing its useful information to the society. Since is a very important to us, because we are in a scientific age, when our lives, homes, works are all fascinating and enjoyable. Science makes us to think scientifically and talk scientifically.

There are too fold important purpose in the study of chemistry. Firstly, it is a basis for scientific and technological advancement and secondly, it is the pursuit of the subject for its own worth in some ways, chemistry is unique. It is a science which depends on experiment and demand precision of thought and expression. Its development may lead to results which are of practical value. Chemistry being a science subject has contributed to many aspects of medicines, engineering, architecture, agricultural science to mention but few. Attitude applied to chemistry therefore is the general behaviour of an individual either positively or negatively toward its learning. Consequently, the burning issue at hand has been to bring to light how students behave to or feel about chemistry. In relation to this therefore, the attitude of girls towards the study of chemistry is the topic of this study.