We aim in this study to know the subjective senses that affect students' motivation to participate in the Science Club from Cotijuba Island. We interviewed six students on their activities, the project they were doing, their relationships with teachers, colleagues, family and their Science classes at school. Students mentioned qualities of interpersonal relationships and characteristics of activities, which motivated them to join the club and Science classes in school. They also pointed out infrastructural problems and circumstances that discouraged such participation. These aspects, some specific of the historical and cultural context, appear in slightly different subjective configurations for each student. The approach taken seemed appropriate to understand the motivation of students in a systemic way.
Subjectivity; motivation; science club.