Implementation of Agriscience Fair by Middle School Agricultural Education Teachers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v66i1.2920Keywords:
Agriscience Fair, Middle School, Agriscience Research SAEAbstract
One of the tools middle school SBAE teachers can use to deliver the total program is research-based SAEs, for which students can receive recognition through the FFA Agriscience Fair. This study examined why middle school SBAE teachers implemented the FFA Agriscience Fair into their programs. This study built on previous literature in this area, but with a specific focus on middle school programs. Using a qualitative case study, seven teachers that had various levels of use with Agriscience Fair were interviewed. Teachers were categorized into their levels of use for this innovation and spanned across multiple levels. Major themes from the interviews emerged that found the Agriscience Fair award area was a tool that teachers used to help strengthen their program by enriching the program offering and providing hands-on learning for students. Themes of teachers learning to figure out the complex rules of the competition to be successful as well as using relationships to help students be successful emerged. Recommendations were made to make the award area more intuitive, especially for teachers who are newer to the implementation including providing examples of manuscripts and presentation materials, providing lesson planning resources, and professional development.
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