EVALUATION OF A MENTORSHIP PROGRAM IN AQUACULTURE: A QUALITATIVE STUDY TO IDENTIFY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES

The purpose of this exploratory case study was to identify the impact of a mentor-guided, project-based learning program through hands-on aquaculture activities as perceived by high school students. This study attempted to explore the educational experiences, perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of secondary students' and their intrinsic desire to learn more about STEM-related fields and careers when exposed to hands-on/minds-on aquaculture projects.  

Qualitative data generated included field observations of participants' activities in the mentorship program, structured face-to-face interviews with open-ended questions, focus groups, student journal reflections, and closed-ended questionnaire. Inductive data analysis methods were used to identify patterns that emerged in the data revealing secondary students' feelings, opinions, and beliefs (attitudes) and what they actually do (behaviors) as a result of their participation. The data analysis involved an iterative process of data coding, management, interpretation, and verification of data and it continued until dominant themes had been refined and isolated. The research methodology of this study was exploratory-based as well as open-ended systematic inquiry to identify participants' experiences in and perceptions of the mentorship program. Qualitative methods were likely best suited to this project, since it provides an in-depth understanding of people's experiences in a specific environment. Further, this method of inquiry allows stories to be told in context and compiles evidence drawn from several methods of data collection.

Three primary themes that emerged from the analysis include: 1) students gained self-confidence in their ability to explore and try new things, and viewed college as attainable after their experience in the program; 2) gained practical life skills such as communication, collaborative teamwork, and responsibility of their learning experience; 3) and results demonstrated that the aquaculture mentorship program enhanced students' awareness of, interest in, and motivation toward learning more about STEM areas of study and careers.