Immersion SAE

Immersion SAEs allow students to build upon their Foundational SAE activities by gaining real-world, hands-on experience within their chosen career path. Students will enhance their knowledge of the agriculture industry, gain financial independence and management skills, and determine whether the career choice aligns with their interests and abilities — all while supporting their agricultural education coursework.

Placement/Internship

• In a Placement or Internship SAE, students have opportunities to gain experience in a chosen field as paid employees or volunteers. Students will likely seek guidance to determine whether a Placement or Internship SAE is the most appropriate option. Students are encouraged to grow a Placement SAE into an internship in the future.

Ownership/Entrepreneurship

• If students prefer to work for themselves and be their own boss, an Ownership/Entrepreneurship SAE might fit best. In an Ownership SAE, students will create, own, and operate a business that provides goods and/or services to the marketplace. As students gain more experience, they can transition an Ownership SAE to an Entrepreneurship SAE by meeting additional criteria.

Research: Experimental, Analysis, and Invention

• In a Research SAE, students will identify the variation of research they would like to pursue as Experimental, Analysis, or Invention. They will determine their research question and work through the scientific method to acquire new knowledge and insights or support existing research. Students will likely seek guidance to determine what is feasible and realistic in pursuing their research.

• Experimental:

  • An Experimental Research SAE involves the application of the scientific method to control certain variables while manipulating others to observe the outcome. The student defines the hypothesis the experiment will test, determines the experimental design, conducts the research, collects the data, draws conclusions from the data, and recommends further research that can be done.

• Analytical

  • An Analytical Research SAE often begins with a question that asks why or how something occurs, followed by a period of data collection using qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies. The student then conducts an analysis of data, facts, and other information to determine the answer to the posed question.

• Invention

  • An Invention Research SAE applies the engineering design process to create a new product or service. This type of research typically begins with the identification of a need and the development of a product, followed by an iterative process of prototyping and testing that culminates in a product that effectively meets the identified need.

School-Based Enterprise

• For students who enjoy collaborating with other students and who would benefit from the available resources of the school and/or FFA chapter, a School-Based Enterprise SAE might be the best fit.

• In a School-Based Enterprise SAE, students lead business enterprises that provide goods or services. These businesses are operated in an FFA chapter. It is important to remember that School-Based Enterprises are student-led. While the instructor will be available to provide guidance, they are not the primary decision maker of the business. With regular input from the board of directors, the student leadership team will be able to facilitate the ongoing processes and growth of the business.

Service Learning SAE

• A Service-Learning SAE might be a good fit for students who have an interest in solving or improving community and/or agricultural issues. In a Service-Learning SAE, students are designed to provide a service to the school, public entities, or the community. The project must benefit an organization, a group, or individuals other than the FFA chapter.

There are many different things you can do in an Immersion SAE. You can explore the various categories to find out what interests you. You can use a paid job, an unpaid job, a paid or unpaid internship, research projects, projects that use school resources, or volunteer work.