Enhancing high school students' interest, motivation, and knowledge through poultry science workshops

There is a general lack of interest among undergraduate students in pursuing careers in the poultry industry. Although currently limited, more opportunities to enhance understanding and awareness of the industry should be made available to secondary school students. This study evaluated the impact of short-term poultry science workshops on high school students' situational interest, motivation, and knowledge. A total of 45 students participated in one of five 90-minute workshops, each consisting of four stations focused on poultry science and animal health. Pre- and post-assessments were administered to measure student interest in the poultry industry, motivation, and content knowledge. Overall, content knowledge increased as a result of participation. Additionally, participants exhibited high levels of intrinsic motivation and identified regulation. Participants with 4-H experience reported lower amotivation compared to non-4-H participants. These findings emphasize the importance of adapting agricultural education to diverse backgrounds, focusing on relevance to increase engagement and maximize learning outcomes.