Virtual Animal Science Skill-a-thons

Summary

As a result of COVID-19 Georgia 4-H animal science state contests were shifted to either a virtual format or outright cancelled. To provide youth and adults a fun and free opportunity to compete on a state, national, and international level, several UGA Extension Agents collaborated to offer a series of virtual skill-a-thons.

Situation

As a result of COVID-19 cancelations and social distancing guidelines for in-person events, Georgia 4-H programming shifted from in-person contests to virtual contests or even cancellation when deemed necessary. Of the five state-level animal science contests traditionally coordinated by Georgia 4-H in the spring and summer months; three were shifted to a virtual format and two were cancelled. For the three contests with a virtual, it was decided that some would be a “Senior Only” contests and only open to high school students. For the two contests that were cancelled, youth were not given an alternative opportunity to measure their animal science knowledge and skills.

Response

Monroe County Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) agent collaborated with other Extension Agents to create three virtual animal science skill-a-thons for youth and adults. Information and promotional materials on skill-a-thons were marketed to participants through local and state 4-H and FFA organizations, breed associations, and social media. Participants registered through a Qualtrics survey. Creating the tests on Qualtrics and using the program as a distribution platform, participants were emailed a unique test link that would give them access to their test. These tests were timed to prevent cheating and once submitted participants were not able to go back and change answers. After the test links were closed, tests were hand graded. Award certificates were distributed to the top five high individuals in each division. The Virtual Invitational Dairy Bowl was held June 1, 2020 and was open to youth in fourth to twelfth grades. The Monroe County ANR agent created a fifty question Junior test for fourth to eight grade students and a one hundred question Senior test for ninth to twelfth grade students. Each test consisted of multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blank questions and expanded response questions. The Virtual Invitational Equine Skill-a-thon was held on July 30, 2020 and was open to all youth and adults. The Monroe County ANR agent collaborated with the Jones County 4-H agent to create two different tests. The four-part test consisted of multiple-choice questions, picture stations, a video of four horses to be evaluated for conformation, and a situation where a short answer response was submitted. The Virtual Invitational Sheep and Goat Skill-a-thon was held on September 21 to 27, 2020 and was open to all youth and adults. The Monroe County ANR agent in collaboration with the Upson/Lamar County and Pike County ARN agents created two four-part test that consisted of multiple choice questions, picture identification stations, two videos of four market lambs and breeding does to be evaluated for conformation, and a keep/cull situation where performance data on ewes and rams was presented.

Impact

Interest from youth and adults in these virtual animal science contests spread throughout Georgia, the United States and even internationally. The Virtual Invitational Dairy Bowl engagement in social media contacts exceeded over 5,000 individuals and 67 youth from seven states participated. The Virtual Invitational Equine Skill-a-thon engagement in social media posts contacts exceeded over 8,000 individuals with 59 youth and 41 adults from thirteen states participating. The Virtual Invitational Sheep and Goat Skill-a-thon contacts in social media exceeded 19,000 individuals with 146 youth and 116 adults from 35 states and four countries participated. A post-program survey was distributed to participants and all respondents reported positive experiences in the virtual animal-science contests. Respondents from the post-program survey for the Virtual Invitational Dairy Bowl indicated: • Fifty percent of the respondents reported that their state Dairy Quiz Bowl contest was cancelled and this was the only opportunity for youth to participate. The other fifty percent of respondents reported that their state Dairy Quiz Bowl contest was offered virtually and that the 2020 Virtual Invitational Dairy Bowl was great tool to prepare their team for the state contest. • All respondents indicated that they would have their team participate again if given the opportunity. One respondent even commented that “this was a great opportunity that was very much needed for dairy 4-H’ers during these stressful COVID times.” Respondents from the post-program survey for the Virtual Invitational Equine Skill-a-thon indicated: • Eighty percent of youth that were going to participate in their state’s Hippology, Horse Judging, or Horse Quiz Bowl contests indicated that their state contest was canceled and the skill-a-thon was their only opportunity to participate in a knowledge-based equine competition. The other 40% reported that their state hosted a virtual Hippology contest and the skill-a-thon was an excellent training opportunity to prepare for their contest. • Ninety-five percent of youth and 85% of adults indicated that they would like to participate in more virtual skill-a-thons • Overall the contest was rated 4.8 out of 5 by youth and adult participants. One adult left a very positive comment about the contest “Please do more like this throughout the year! Even when things are normal, these are so fun and helpful. We struggle getting kids lined up for activities because they are so busy, this is great because it can be worked in without travel.” Respondents from the post-program survey for the Virtual Invitational Sheep and Goat Skill-a-thon reported: • Over eighty-seven percent reported that their knowledge of the sheep and goat industry had been broadened as a result of the skill-a-thon. • Even though only fifty percent of participants had previously competed in a skill-a-thon, one hundred percent of respondents indicated that they would participate in another skill-a-thon. • Overall the contest was rated 4.3 out of 5 by youth and adult participants. One respondent commented on the quality of the contest by reporting “I have had a small commercial sheep flock for about 35 years and am a retired Ag teacher. I enjoyed testing my knowledge! You asked a broad range of questions about both sheep and goats and had an adequate number of questions to make it a reliable measure of a person’s knowledge. Thanks for providing a wide range of age categories for your participants!”

State Issue

Animal Production

Details

• Year: 2020
• Geographic Scope: International
• County: Monroe
• Location: College Station, Athens
• Program Areas:
  • 4-H Youth
  • Agriculture & Natural Resources