Development of Contextualized STEM Lesson on Solid Waste Management Awareness and Practices for Grade Four Learners
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Abstract
Concerns about solid waste management in the Philippines include improper waste disposal, ineffective waste collection, and a shortage of disposal facilities. As a result, the Philippines is regarded as the top plastic polluter in the world. With this, the researcher developed a contextualized STEM Lesson on solid waste management awareness and practices among Grade Four learners and increased the level of solid waste management awareness and their solid waste management practices. The questionnaire has two parts: the level of awareness and the practices in solid waste management. Before the development of the contextualized STEM Lesson, a needs assessment was done for the In-Service Science teachers of the target school. The results served as the basis for the development of the contextualized STEM Lesson on Solid Waste Management Awareness and Practices, which underwent face validation and validation among experts. The developed contextualized STEM Lesson was implemented and the results revealed that learners had gained enough knowledge and awareness in terms of laws and regulations of solid waste, the effect of improper solid waste disposal, solid waste prohibited activities, school initiatives towards solid waste, the importance of solid waste management, and learners’ responsibilities. The result also revealed that learners have gained good solid waste management practices in terms of waste disposal, segregation, reduction, reuse, and recycling. The high level of awareness of solid waste management and practices can be attributed to the contextualized STEM Lesson on Solid Waste Management Awareness and Practices. This suggested and revealed that contextualized STEM Lesson on Solid Waste Management Awareness and Practices was an effective tool in fostering high-level awareness and good practices among learners.
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