Undergraduate Students’ Motivation in Chemistry Lessons

Abstract

Chemistry is a core subject in most engineering degrees. The study of chemistry in particular, and of science in general, contributes to the integral development of individuals as it promotes the development of intellectual attitudes and habits such as argumentation, reasoning, and discussion, all of which are of great value to engineering students. Additionally, understanding the phenomena occurring in our environment helps in rational interpretation of reality and fosters critical attitudes toward everyday events. In this paper, we make an attempt to introduce different strategies that could increase students’ motivation to learn chemistry. Chemistry teachers often struggle to engage students, create stimulating learning environments, and manage classrooms effectively. Recently, there have been numerous attempts to motivate students by making chemistry more engaging through its application to everyday situations. The effectiveness of these endeavors depends on the connection between the phenomena under consideration, their scientific basis, and the students’ level of comprehension. To meet these expectations, it’s essential to cater to students’ interests according to their stage of cognitive development while still covering essential content and theories. The role of a number of motivational approaches, such as showcasing the relevance of chemistry in everyday situations, highlighting the challenges that society presents to this discipline in the immediate future, and aligning teaching methodologies with scientific strategies, are discussed as possible ways to stimulate students’ curiosity and improve their performance in the classroom.