1. Cognitive Appeal which refers to a range of situational characteristics that stimulate curiosity (Bruner, 1966) and fantasy (Malone & Lepper, 1987). This form of appeal includes both sensory curiosity (stimulated by auditory and visual variability) and higher-level cognitive curiosity (promoted by unexpected or paradoxical events).
2. Mastery Appeal which is derived from environments that lend a sense of effectiveness. These motivators refer to a broad range of constructs, models, and theories that explain human motivation by the need for control and the need for competence and self-efficacy.
3. Social Appeal which refers to the social characteristics of a task or event that engender interest and involvement. Bruner (1966) noted the importance of the social environment when he proposed the phenomenon of reciprocity: the desire to operate jointly with others toward some common objective. Studies done by Roth et al (1997) and Shepardson (1994) on the impact of science demonstrations on student learning highlighted social interaction as one of the contributing factors to successful learning.

Contributed by Dr Charles CHEW, NSSE, NIE

• Associate Professor Christine CHIN Hui Li, NSSE, NIE
• Dr Joaquin Alfonso FARGAS, Director, Exploratorio, Argentina
• Dr Andrew GIGER, Science Centre Fellow