Science Teaching Series

Internet Resources

I. Developing Scientific Literacy

II. Developing Scientific Reasoning

III. Developing Scientific Understanding

IV. Developing Scientific Problem Solving

V. Developing Scientific Research Skills

VI. Resources for Teaching Science

Motivation

Intrinsic Motivation

"Intrinsic motivation comes from rewards inherent to a task or activity itself - the enjoyment of a puzzle or the love of playing basketball, for example. One is said to be intrinsically motivated when engaging in an activity "with no apparent reward except for the activity itself"... Research has found that it is usually associated with high educational achievement and enjoyment by students. " (source)

Students are likely to be intrinsically motivated if they:

Examples of Intrinstically Motivated Individuals

Thomas Alva Edison –American inventor (1847-1931)
Edison established the first industrial research laboratory. He was one of the most prolific inventors of all time, inventing a sound recording device (phonograph), motion pictures, and the first practical incandescent light bulb. He received patents for 1090 inventions.
"I never did anything worth doing by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work."
"Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration."
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk."