In a recent Wiley webinar, Dr. Laurie Starkey from Cal Poly Pomona explored a key challenge in today’s chemistry classroom: what if students don’t choose to be engaged? How a student feels about Organic Chemistry had everything to do with their success. If a student is not motivated to learn, then it simply doesn’t matter how beautifully designed the course is. Drawing from her 29 years of experience in the classroom and her contributions as co-author on the 5th Edition of Organic Chemistry with David Klein, Dr. Starkey discussed key factors that could dramatically impact student motivation, described as a “GPS” of guiding principles: encouraging a Growth mindset, developing a sense of Purpose and relevance, and fostering a Sense of belonging. Let's dive into the key points and learn how we can inspire a love for chemistry in our students.

Why is Motivation Needed?

To succeed in chemistry, students need to:

• Dedicate the required hours every day/week.
• Tackle challenging problems.
• Persist even after facing setbacks.

Motivation is crucial because all growth involves discomfort. But how can we effectively motivate students?

What Motivates Students?

Dr. Starkey highlighted that fear of failure is not the best motivator. Instead, we should focus on three key areas to motivate students: Growth Mindset, Purpose and Relevance, and Sense of Belonging.

Growth Mindset

Encouraging a growth mindset means helping students believe that their abilities can be developed through effort and perseverance. Here are some strategies:

• Don't praise ability; focus on the process.
• Value formative assessments and provide detailed solutions.
• Discuss study strategies and neuroplasticity.
• Share personal stories of struggles and growth.
• Provide metacognitive activities like exam wrappers, where students reflect on their preparation and mistakes.

Purpose and Relevance

Students are more motivated when they see the relevance of what they're learning to their lives and goals. Here are some ways to highlight purpose and relevance:

• Weekly "Friday Five" reflections where students describe their study plans and connect with the material.
• Create concept maps and research topics (e.g. nanotechnology).
• Discuss career planning and celebrate events like National Chemistry Week.
• Share stories of former students and provide "hooks" to grab attention.

Sense of Belonging

Building a sense of community is essential for student motivation. Students who feel included are more open to feedback and challenges. Dr Starkey shared several ways you can foster a sense of belonging in the classroom:

• Redesign the syllabus to be student-centered.
• Introduce yourself and share your passion for chemistry.
• Encourage study groups and create an Organic Learning Community (OLC).
• Use discussion boards, Google Voice, and Discord servers for communication.
• Provide supportive messaging and resources.

Motivating students in chemistry requires a multifaceted approach. By focusing on growth mindset, purpose & relevance, and sense of belonging, Dr Starkey explained how we can create an engaging and supportive learning environment to inspire students to love chemistry and persist through challenges, knowing that their efforts will lead to growth and success. 

Please click here to register for the on demand recording of the webinar where Dr. Starkey explored these factors and provided practical strategies to help motivate students with insights into new tools, resources, and examples featured in the latest edition of Organic Chemistry. This webinar recording is an excellent opportunity to explore how educators could motivate the current generation of chemistry students...and perhaps inspire the next generation of chemists!