Development of Lab Curriculum for Teaching Role of Surfactant on Waxy Leaf Surface and Contact Angle Measurement Using Smartphone Application and Its Educational Efficacy Analysis

Due to the presence of epicuticular wax on the plant surface and other reasons, surfactant is widely used in agricultural industry. However, there is no well-designed lab curriculum for teaching role of epicuticular wax and surfactant on it. Here, we developed inexpensive and easy lab curriculum for above topic using smartphone and smartphone application. In order to evaluate students’ learning form this lab curriculum, anonymous survey was conducted from the students who participated (n=22). Students responded to survey positively: students expressed their opinions either “positive” or “very positive” to the statement on “the experiment explains on the role of epicuticular wax” (95.5%), “the experiment was easy” (100%), and “the experiment was fun” (77.3%). This newly-developed lab curriculum would help students’ learning on the concept of epicuticular wax and role of surfactant on waxy leaf surface.