Motivation is vital to student learning, but it can often feel difficult to inspire students who don’t feel connected to the material or to the disciplinary or classroom community. Fortunately, research shows that student motivation increases when we curate relevant course material that learners can identify themselves in and that connects to their interests. This helps students feel seen, that they matter, and that they can contribute to our fields. How can we foster opportunities for our students to see themselves in course material? What are different ways of tapping into student motivation without constricting our teaching to only what interests students or is practical to the real world? This lunchtime discussion will support instructors in thinking about strategies for increasing course relevance and student motivation in our courses. Our conversation will begin with insights from Valerie Horsley, Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and Associate Professor of Dermatology, and Hi’ilei Hobart, Assistant Professor of Ethnicity, Race, and Migration. They will share their own thoughts and pedagogical practices and then invite others into the conversation. Participants are encouraged to come ready to contribute their own questions, challenges, and variations on practices related to student motivation and course relevance. A boxed lunch will be provided that participants can eat during the session or take away–whatever feels most comfortable. We are committed to hosting inclusive and accessible events that allow all participants to fully engage. Please contact us at faculty.teaching@yale.edu if there are ways we can support accommodations, be aware of any dietary restrictions, or for questions about inclusion.. . — Event Details: https://yaleconnect.yale.edu/rsvp?id=2158903