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Manipulative skills include skills in handling materials and apparatus in the context of scientific investigation. Students lack exposure in “hands-on” activities at primary school lead to insufficient manipulative skills and they may carry this problem with them to secondary school. This problem will pose a greater problem during school transition. School transition is a challenging process for students whereby they have to adapt with social issues to fit into their new environment. This study resulted from a longitudinal study with the implementation of phenomenographic research design. The research was administered to 10 primary school students (Year Six) and they were re-interviewed in secondary school (Form One). Students’ capability in handling thermometer, measuring cylinder, Bunsen burner and microscope were observed in order to get comprehensive understanding of students’ manipulative skills during the process of transition from primary to secondary school. Findings revealed that students have not fully developed the basic skills in using and handling scientific apparatus. Five (5) categories of description emerged from data that represented the nature of the students’ manipulative skills, namely: (1) non-systematic operation of tasks, (2) non-effective management of time and workplace, (3) haphazard safety and precautionary measures, (4) poor technical skills, and (5) problem in numeracy and drawing specimen.

Autism is a neural development disorder characterized by the deterioration in social interacttion, abnormal language expression, repetitive actions, imaginative game tendencies, and limited and/or obsessiveness in certain activities/ interests. Lack of sleep is one of the factors contributing to the worsening of overall negative symptoms of autistic children. From the Islamic perspective, sleep is a necessity and could function as a treatment for health problems, in addition to influencing behavior patterns. Sound therapy has been used in dealing with various health problems, including sleep problems and mental ill health. Possibly, it can also address sleep problems of the autistic children. Listening to the melodious Qur'anic recitation is known to have therapeutic effects even on individuals who do not understand the meaning of the verses being read; it could function as sound therapy. However, no established work has been done to study the effect of Qur'anic verses recitation on autistic children and their sleep problems. Similar to the use of music therapy, Qur'anic recitation is also expected to have a positive impact on speech, learning and interpersonal relationship. As a healing medium, Qur'anic therapy is also expected to have a better result as compared to other conventional sound therapy since its content could be psychotherapeutic.

The purpose of this study is to explore the research base of STEM education in Malaysia through an analysis review of articles for a 14-year period, from 1999 to 2013. The research base review focuses on identifying four characteristics of STEM education: a) temporal distribution, b) the research areas involved in each discipline, c) the types of participants, and d) the methodological design employed. Published journals from webbased service providers were selected according to the original author's discussion of STEM education in the articles. The findings summarize the core consistencies of STEM education literature across the STEM disciplines throughout the years by identifying the STEM-related content addressed by professionals in their respective fields.

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