Date of Award
8-2021
Culminating Project Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Special Studies: M.S.
Department
Teacher Development
College
School of Education
First Advisor
Felicia Leammukda
Second Advisor
Teresa Washut Heck
Third Advisor
Susan Haller
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Keywords and Subject Headings
motivation, science learning, careers in science, motivation to learn science, science classroom, science education
Abstract
Research has suggested that young students start to lose motivation to learn as they advance in their education. This study focuses on student motivation to learn science and how, if at all, student motivation can be increased with the use of motivational strategies. The lack of motivation to learn science for students is of concern due to the decreasing number of people entering careers in science. In this study, the use of motivational strategies such as making science content relatable is explored, in hopes of motivating more students to learn science and perhaps pursue a science career. The goal of this study was to recommend a strategy to implement in science classrooms in order to increase motivation to learn science and spark student interest in pursuing careers in science.
Keywords: motivation, science learning, careers in science, motivation to learn science, science classroom, science education
Recommended Citation
Meyers, Erica, "Student Motivation to Learn and Pursue Careers in Science" (2021). Culminating Projects in Teacher Development. 51.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/ed_etds/51
Comments/Acknowledgements
The completion of my thesis would not have been possible without the endless support and guidance I received from my advisor, Dr. Felicia Leammukda. I am grateful for the opportunity to work and learn from her. The knowledge I have gained from Dr. Leammukda, I will carry with me in my future endeavors. I look forward to future research projects that we will complete as colleagues. I would also like to extend my gratitude to my other thesis committee members, Dr. Teresa Washut Heck and Dr. Susan Haller, for their service and patience they have offered me during this last year.
I am thankful for my sister, Dr. Samantha Geislinger and her husband Mitchell, for motivating me to continue my education and to pursue my dream to become an educator. They have supported me in all ways imaginable and I am blessed to call them family. Jeannette Dammann, my cooperating teacher during my student teaching, has taught me how to be a proficient and compassionate teacher for my future students. It was a pleasure to learn from her and gain experience in her classroom.