Experiential Learning: Mastering Ecosystems the Fun Way

This study develops an experiential learning module integrated with the Malaysian primary school science syllabus, focusing on ecosystems from Year 1 to Year 6. The module aims to foster active learning by enabling students to learn through play, which addresses the common challenge of memorizing scientific facts. Many primary school students struggle with retaining factual knowledge in science, leading to difficulties in mastering key concepts. By incorporating hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences, the module encourages students to engage directly with the content, making science learning more enjoyable and effective. A pretest-posttest design was used with 72 students to evaluate the module’s effectiveness. The results revealed a significant improvement in student performance from pretest to posttest, demonstrating the positive impact of the module on students' understanding and retention of science concepts. These findings suggest that experiential learning can enhance the learning experience by providing students with the opportunity to actively explore and internalize science content. The novelty of this study lies in its innovative play-based approach, which integrates active learning strategies into the formal curriculum, providing a unique method for improving science education. By combining educational content with engaging, hands-on learning activities, this module has the potential to promote long-term interest in science and improve knowledge retention for primary school students, ultimately helping them build a strong foundation in scientific understanding.