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Ateneo Science Educators and Researchers in Virtual
Engagement (SERVE) 2020 Ateneo de Manila University
School of Science and Engineering
MS Science Education Program of Biology Department

The Use of Lego® Kits as Manipulatives, the Academic Performance, and the
Spatial Ability of Grade 9 – Science Students

a*
Lavi Cornel A. Subang and Nestor S. Valera b

a b
Department of Biology, School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University Department of
Chemistry, School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University
*Corresponding Author: lavi.subang@obf.ateneo.edu

ABSTRACT

Chemistry tries to understand the structures and the processes involved in different substances. Physical
models or manipulatives are often used to represent these structures, and other Chemistry concepts, to
foster better understanding of the lesson. The commercial ball and stick model manipulative kits are the
go-to manipulative for Chemistry teachers especially for the discussion of Lewis structures and molecular
geometry. LEGO®, on the other hand, is a famous toy that releases sets that can be used to teach STEM
topics, but not including Chemistry. This research determined the effects of LEGO® manipulative kits on the
academic performance and spatial ability of Grade 9- Science students and tried to compare the effects to
that of the what is traditionally used in the classroom (commercial ball and stick model kits). The students
who used the LEGO kits enjoyed the activity to an extent that not all of the students were able to finish the
activity. On the other hand, the students in the traditional manipulative group had a hard time using the ball
and stick model kits and needed more assistance from the teacher. Also. results of the study showed that
there is a statistically significant difference on the initial and final academic performance and spatial analysis
scores of the traditional manipulative group and the LEGO® manipulative group, but there is no statistically
significant difference in the scores between the two groups. Based from the results of this study, it was
concluded that both manipulatives can help the students visualize chemistry concepts, and the LEGO kits
can be further improved by incorporating a customized brick as the central atom for the kit.

Keywords: academic performance, spatial ability, manipulative, Lego®

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