Open Conference Systems, MISEIC 2020

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Learning from Mung Bean Sprout Experiment: Science Process Skills for Non-Science Major
Aris Rudi Purnomo

Last modified: 2020-07-15

Abstract


Basic Natural Science (BNS) for non-science major plays a key role to guide students improve their skills in generating assumption or hypothesis, determining variables and collecting information to find the reason of particular event. The essential of such science process skills (SPS) is required for them when they are dealing with the impact of pollution, diseases, and the use of fertilizers happening in their surroundings. To do so, this research used student worksheet containing experiment about the impact of detergent to the growth of mung bean sprouts. Quasi-experimental design was employed to reveal the extent to which the approach was capable of inducing students to comprehend SPS in self-learning atmosphere. 77 students of Public Administration involved in the study were then divided into 38 groups. From content analysis, the results showed that 17% students who have science background in senior high school were familiar with the task and easily formulate experiment problem, hypothesis and variables. Also, they were able to explain the reason of the significant difference between mung bean which was grown in the media without and with detergent. Likewise, 54% students showed similar impressive results, but their capabilities varied in accordance with the independent variable and dependent variable. The other 29% of the participants encountered difficulties to determine variables at all, but were still able to elucidate the reason. In conclusion, the approach was successfully to guide the students to master some parts of SPS. For variables, the students need to have some mentoring process directly from the lecturer to possess all SPS.


Keywords


Basic Natural Science, Science Process Skills