Integration of Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) in Secondary School: An Approach of Environmental Education to Improve Students’ Knowledge on Green Technology and Manipulative Skills in Biology Subject

Abstract

Green technology is one of the environmental education approaches that can be implemented among students in secondary school. In addition, green technology can be applied in the science curriculum to encourage students’ interest in appreciating the environment. It is also useful in curbing the negative human involvement on nature. This preliminary research looked at the need to implement green technology module by integrating Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) in Biology syllabus. This research assessed the current understanding of Biology form five students on environmental education topic in Biology syllabus and knowledge on Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC). A survey and assessment using multiple choice questions (MCQ) has been conducted on 40 students and 59 students respectively via online. Data obtained were analysed descriptively using SPSS. The results showed a normal distribution graph for MCQ assessment and moderate level of understanding about MFC among form five students. Additionally, the needs for implementing microbial fuel cell (MFC) in Biology curriculum were investigated by conducting interviews among experts in MFC and Biology teachers. By using thematic analysis, opinions of teachers and experts in MFC were grouped into several categories: 1) Inadequate Content Related to Environmental Education and Green Technology in Biology Curriculum; 2) Level of Teachers’ Knowledge of Green Technology in Biology Subject Need to Be Improved; 3) Level of Teachers’ Knowledge On Pedagogical Methods Need to Be Improved. The results of this study suggests that utilising green technology approach which is MFC is very important to improve the level of understanding on green technology and manipulative skills among secondary school students. The findings also can be used for designing and developing the module related to MFC.