Motivational Factors Related to Youth Performance in a Horticulture Career Development Event

1. Motivational Factors Related to Youth Performance in a Horticulture Career Development Event Amy Jones Dr. Neil Knobloch Dr. Kathryn Orvis Dr. Levon Esters

2. Introduction Competition Mixed Results (Radhakrishna, 2006, Lepper & Greene, 1978; Weber & McCullers, 1986; Johnson, 1914) personal skills and goals and career development (Blakely, 1993) According to the National FFA Organization… “The role of career development events is to motivate students and encourage leadership, personal growth, citizenship and career development” (2006, p. 5)

3. Introduction • Horticulture Industry Certification • Professional Landcare Network • American Society for Horticultural Sciences • Botanical Gardens • Indiana Nursery & Landscape Association • Horticulture Degree Programs • Approx. 54 on-campus • Horticulture Careers • Wide Variety • Various Degree Requirements

4. Purpose of Study The purpose of this research study was to explore youth’s… Knowledge Motivation Learning Experiences • and to describe relationships between Youth Motivation Learning and Preparation Coach Motivation Youth’s Performance • in a competitive out-of-school horticulture career development experience.

5. Conceptual Framework • I.V. • 4 Research Questions Youth Motivation -Intrinsic Value -Utility Value -Attainment Value -Cost -Self-Efficacy • D.V. CDE Outcomes CDE Performance -General Knowledge Exam -Identification Exam -Product Evaluation Exam Pre-CDE Educational Experiences Coach Motivation -Intrinsic Value -Utility Value -Attainment Value -Cost -Self-Efficacy Learning and Preparation -Learning Resources -Preparation Time

6. Theoretical Framework • Expectancy-Value Theory • Self-Efficacy achievement perseverance completion Expectancies and Values • (Eccles & Wigfield, 2002) thoughts/feelings motivation behaviors Personal beliefs • (Bandura, 1994)

7. Review of Literature Competition • Of the four specific organizational elements of CTSOs (leadership, community service, competitions, and professional development) competition had the most constructive effects (Alfed et. al, 2007) Youth Motivation • Six themes of how Oklahoma secondary agriculture teachers motivated their students to participate in CDEs Russell et al. (2009) • Students’ motives to participate in CDE were different than their teachers’ motives(Croomet al., 2005) Preparation • Visits to garden centers and greenhouses were the main preparation aid, followed by videos and slides, websites, textbooks, and university’s living laboratories (Poskey et. al, 2005) Performance • Demographical differences between low and high performers at a Livestock Evaluation CDE (Theiman et. al, 2010)

8. Methodology • Exploratory, descriptive study • QUAN + qual • Questionnaire distribution • Performance • General Knowledge Exam • 80 questions (800 Points, 36%) • Identification Exam • 100 specimen (1000 Points, 45%) • Product Evaluation Exam • 8 classes (400 Points, 18%)

9. Instrument • Youth • motivation, 28 items (Post-hoc reliability 0.64 – 0.89) • learning resources and preparation, 21 items • demographics, 5 items • Coaches • motivation for having youth participate, 29 items (Post-hoc reliability 0.63 - 0.90) • learning resources used to help youth prepare, 19 items • demographics, 9 items

10. Population

11. Conclusion 1 Youth were motivated to participate in a competitive horticulture career development event *Note: Scale: 1 = None, 2 = A little, 3 = Somewhat, 4 = Quite A Lot, 5 = A Great Deal

12. Conclusion 1 Youth were motivated to participate in a competitive horticulture career development event and youth motivation was related to performance of horticultural competencies

13. Conclusion 2 Coaches’ motivation was related to youth motivation

14. Conclusion 2 Coaches’ motivation was related to youth motivation and youth performance of horticulture competencies

15. Conclusion 3 Time spent preparing for the horticulture career development event and learning resources used by youth were related to youth’s overall performance of horticultural competencies.

16. Conclusion 3 • However, youth did not perform horticultural competencies at a level required to be a certified horticulture manager or technician in the horticulture industry.

17. Implications • Coaches clinic • create learning environments that • build competencies • self-efficacy • build youth’s competencies • assessment tools of the event • career and certification guidelines • Learning resources and assessments should reflect • university course requirements • industry certification programs

18. Recommendations • Due to the small population and nature of the study… • Participants and contexts • replications into events with similar contexts • replications into events with differing contexts • Measurements and impacts • coaching strategies and learning resources prior to event • preparation of youth for future careers, including STEM careers

19. Acknowledgements • My Family and Friends • Dr. Neil Knobloch • Dr. Kathryn Orvis • Dr. Levon Esters • Graduate Students • YDAE Thank you!

20. Questions?