The Function, Educational Value, And Practical Challenges of Laboratories and Experiments in Science Teaching

The laboratory environment plays a vital role in concretizing this abstract knowledge. Consequently, one of the most effective methods in science education is learning by doing and experiencing. In science education, a laboratory is a workspace or specialized classroom equipped with specific tools, instruments, and equipment for conducting scientific research and applications such as demonstrations and experiments. The science laboratory provides students with highly significant qualities, such as reasoning, critical thinking, gaining a scientific perspective, and developing problem-solving abilities. This study, aiming to reveal the views of Science teachers regarding the use of laboratories in science teaching. At the conclusion of the research, teachers stated that laboratories hold a very important place in science education for the application of theoretical knowledge to practice. In addition, they emphasized the lack of equipment and the importance of laboratory safety. Furthermore, they recommended reducing class sizes and increasing safety measures as suggestions. Keyword:Science, Science teaching, Laboratory DOI: 10.7176/JEP/17-3-05 Publication date: March 28th 2026