Comparative Study of Male and Female Students’ Performance in Science Laboratory Technology, Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, Nigeria (A 5 year Case Study).

The controversial discussion on the topic of gender and academic performance in sciences has stirred up much debate. It has been reported that gender difference in enrolment in advance mathematics course is influenced by perceived value of competence. It has been proposed that very few women have been found in graduate programs and professions in computer sciences, physics and technology. These courses, along with chemistry and biological sciences, make up the Science Laboratory Technology department in Rivers State Polytechnic. This research therefore seeks to find the relationship between gender and performances in the fields of Science Laboratory Technology in Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, Nigeria. For the purpose of this study, a descriptive survey method was used. Secondary data in form of students’ results for the past five years was obtained from the Exams and Records department of Rivers State polytechnic. Enrolment, performance and graduation trends based on gender and courses offered were investigated at both the National Diploma and the Higher National Diploma levels. The result showed that enrolment of female students is higher in both National Diploma and Higher National Diploma levels, an average of 61.9% and 62.4% respectively of total enrolment, within the period under study. At the National Diploma and Higher National Diploma levels, 38.1% and 37.8% enrolment was recorded for the males respectively. AnalysIs of performance did not show any noticeable gender bias. Graduation ratio was significantly higher for female students when compared to their male counter parts. Keywords: Gender, Science Laboratory Technology, Performance, Enrolment, Graduation, Female students, Male students

Assessing the bioconcentration of heavy metals in Nypa Palm (Nypa fruticans (Wurmb) from selected mangrove forests in Rivers State, Nigeria

The bioconcentration of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr and Ni in tissues of Nypa palm (Nypa fruticans) was investigated during wet and dry seasons from selected mangrove forests, using the randomized complete block design. Soil and plant samples were randomly collected from plant dominated growth stations and analyzed for heavy metal content using the Perkin Elmer Analysts 200 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results obtained showed the bio-transfer factors of heavy metals at wet season as Pb (1.08mg/kg), Zn (1.42 mg/kg), Cd (6.14 mg/kg), Cr (0.56 mg/kg) Ni (0.90 mg/kg) and dry season as Pb (0.86 mg/kg), Zn (1.15 mg/kg), Cd (5.44 mg/kg), Cr (0.66 mg/kg), Ni (1.12 mg/kg). The result further showed the bio-translocation factors of the metals at wet seasons as Pb (0.59 mg/kg), Zn (0.76 mg/kg), Cd (3.25 mg/kg), Cr (0.22 mg/kg), Ni (0.54 mg/kg) and dry season as Pb (0.64 mg/kg), Zn (1.03 mg/kg) Cd (3.07 mg/kg), Cr (0.24 mg/kg), Ni (0.61 mg/kg) respectively. Findings indicate the study plant as a hyper accumulator of Ni, Cd and Zn, and non-hyper accumulator of Cr and Pb. It is thus recommended that N. fruticans be utilized for phytoremediation of Ni, Cd and Zn in polluted mangrove ecosystem