Motivation to learn through interactive lectures: a chemistry research popularization

Abstract

Science popularization projects have been studied from different points of view and theories. However, little is known about how they can affect the motivation to learn. In the present study, the contribution of interactive lectures to motivation to learn chemistry in public school students was analyzed. Four interactive lectures were developed from the partnership between the authors of the present study as science communicators and different research groups of a public university in Brazil. The lectures were presented in a science museum and in the university to around 150 students of three public schools during one year and were analyzed through the Self-Determination Theory. The Intrinsic Motivation Inventory revealed that the lectures promoted the interest, value of chemistry, effort and perceived choice to the detriment of the sense of pressure to learning chemistry. The interviews also showed that the students became more interested and dedicated in chemistry. The results foment the potential of the interactive lectures for motivation to learn and the responsibility of public universities with science popularization projects.