Core Mathematics as a Predictor of Integrated Science Achievement of Students in the WASSCE Examination

Abstract

Introduction Science and Mathematics education is an important tool for the development of any nation scientifically and technologically. The strength of any economy is based on skills that students obtain in math and science courses (Davis, Williams & Drake, 2017). According to Opara, Chilee and Uchechi (2017),integrated science is a subject that covers all aspects of science as a unit. It is concerned with the teaching and learning of the fundamental units of science methods, processes, thoughts strategies and theories as a unitary body. Integrated science is a multidisciplinary course which provides a meaningful understanding of science without differentiating it into various scientific fields (Opara, Chilee & Uchechi, 2017). Integrated science is an interdisciplinary science integrating concepts in all science disciplines such as chemistry, physics and biology. The justification for such an approach includes the fact that knowledge growth requires individuals to understand broader concepts that link science disciplines and the understanding that fragmentation of the curriculum reduces relevance and meaning to students (Bybee et al, 2008). Despite that fact that integrated science is an activity-based subject that needs little of basic computation, but mostly of practical, it seems that the basic knowledge of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics are the major criteria for full understanding of the subject. It is the measure of this parameter that determines the level of achievement of students in the subject (Ayodele, Adedayo & Ayeni ,2014). 1.1. Problem Statement According to the ministry of Education as contained in the integrated science syllabus, Development in the current world is knowledge based on science and technology. For the country to develop faster, it is important for students to be trained in the processes of seeking answers to problems through scientific investigations and experimentation. Every citizen of the country needs training in science to be able to develop a scientific mind and a scientific culture. This is the only way by which people of the country could deal objectively with phenomena and other practical issues; prevent reliance on superstition for explaining the nature of things and help us to construct and build the present and the future on pragmatic scientific basis.(MoE, 2010). The integrated science syllabus is a conscious effort to raise the level of scientific literacy of all students and equip them with the relevant basic scientific knowledge needed for their own living and secondly, needed for making valuable contributions to production in the country. According to Anamuah-Mensah, Asabere-Ameyaw, & Mereku, (2004), Ghana's average scores in Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) in life science, chemistry and physics were the lowest of all the