Article Details

The study determined the effects of guided inquiry teaching strategy on students' achievement in genetics in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The study was guided by two objectives, two research questions, and two hypotheses tested at 0.05 alpha level. The study used a quasi-experimental research design involving the non-randomized pretest, posttest, control group design. A sample of 331 (165 male and 166 female) SS III Biology students from three senior secondary schools was selected for the study using simple random sampling technique. The contents covered were definition of genetics, genes, chromosomes, application of probability and application of principles of heredity. Genetics Achievement Test (GAT) was developed and was used for data collection. The instruments were validated by experts and yielded logical validity indices of 0.83, 0.82 and 0.93 for GAT and reliability coefficient indices of 0.79 through Kuder-Richardson 21 Formula for GAT. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) statistics was used for testing the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings from this research revealed that; Guided Inquiry proves to be more engaging and effective teaching strategy for improving achievement in genetics compared to the conventional method, Guided inquiry teaching strategy deepen students’ understanding, which are critical for academic success. Findings from this research revealed that there was no significant difference in the mean achievement scores in male and female students taught using guided inquiry teaching strategy. Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made to enhance the effectiveness of teaching genetics through Guided inquiry teaching strategy: Guided inquiry teaching strategy should be adopted more widely in teaching Genetics. Schools and educational institutions should prioritize interactive, hands-on learning methods to engage students more effectively and improve learning outcomes.