ENHANCING CHEMISTRY STUDENTS' ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT USING MOLECULAR MODELS IN TEACHING NOMENCLATURE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the use of molecular model kits in enhancing the academic achievement of chemistry students in secondary schools in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A Quasi experimental research design was employed. The population was all secondary school (SS2) chemistry students with a total of 2,007 students from twelve secondary schools. Purposive sampling technique was employed in selecting 100 chemistry students from two secondary schools for the study. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The instrument used was organic chemistry assessment test (OCAT) consisting twenty questions. The instrument was validated by group of experts from the university. A pilot study was conducted with a different school and a reliability coefficient of 0.71 was obtained using Cronbach’s alpha reliability test. The data was analyzed using means score, standard deviation and t-Test statistical tools. The results revealed that there was significant difference between the performance of students in the experimental group involved in using the molecular model kits in naming and drawing organic nomenclature than those taught with the traditional method. Secondly, there was significant difference between the mean performances of male and female chemistry students engaged in using the molecular model set. Thirdly, there was no significant difference between the mean performances of the male and female chemistry students taught with the traditional method. The significant improvement in students’ achievement could be attributed to the increased exposure to virtual and physical models and the active learning, the students were engaged in. Based on the findings it recommends among others that the government should incorporate virtual and physical models in organic chemistry teaching/learning as a means of fostering meaningful learning and spatial understanding of molecular structures.