Describe the Issue or Situation. Each year we have several student interns that work with our programs at UKREC. We started requiring them to pick a summer project, help with the design and complete the project.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable). Immediate outcomes are that the interns learn how to develop and complete a scientific project. These simple projects are designed to answer questions that benefit producers. In the longer term, it helps develop the interns curiosity in the scientific method and has helped them become more involved in agricultural sciences. One student entered her project into the FFA science fair and won at the state level and is eligible to complete at the national FFA level.  

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience. 6 high school and undergraduate college students working at UKREC. 

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach. Initially the projects help the interns gain a better appreciate for research and projects that benefit producers in various aspects of production agriculture. Hopefully a longer term outcome is that they are influenced to become more involved in agriculture as the progress in their careers. Finally, the information gained from these projects can be used to by faculty to provide best management practices for production agriculture.