The importance of facilities in science education

It is generally assumed that better facilities will affect the quality of education in schools, but evidence concerning this assumption is often not considered or even known. In this article, the author reviews some important studies examining the influence of facilities on science teaching. He concludes that, while the provision of good facilities may not change educational practices dramatically, they help to foster science teaching activities which involve students in a variety of stimulating activities. In general terms, the evidence reviewed in relation to science teaching is consistent with the notion that the students’ physical environment affects their study behaviour. It may be argued, therefore, that attention must be paid to the provision of good teaching facilities if active forms of learning are to be encouraged.