JONAED

This study investigated fear-inducing stimuli among students during Biology practical activities involving animal specimens. Guided by two research questions and one null hypothesis, it employed descriptive survey design. The study was conducted in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo state with the population of 3,111 Senior Secondary School students. 160 SS3 Biology students (64 males and 96 females) formed the sample and were drawn from two randomly sampled co-educational secondary schools in Njaba Metropolis. Instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire on fear-inducers during Biology Practical Activities involving Animal Specimens (FIDBPAIAS) developed and validated by the researcher. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was 0.72 computed using Cronbach Alpha. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for the research questions and the null hypothesis tested at p≤0.05, using independent sample t-test. Results showed that fear experienced by Biology students during practical activities involving animal specimens is among other things induced by: odor of formalin solution; touching of preserved animal specimen; seeing of blood during dissection of animal specimen, and dissecting of animal specimen. It was recommended among other things that: Biology teachers should ensure a well-ventilated laboratory to reduce the odor of formalin, and odor of blood during dissection; use freshly collected/live animal specimens during practical activities instead of the preserved ones; and encourage students to wear hand gloves during dissection.