What is the Poultry Science Summer Immersion? (formerly Institute)
The Poultry Science Summer Immersion (PSSI) is a five day, four-night hands-on experience designed to broaden high school students' understanding of poultry-related educational disciplines, scholarship opportunities, careers, and industries. Students will be introduced to the sciences behind poultry production, ranging from embryology and immunology, to feed milling and food safety.
PSSI - New Leadership - Ms. Susan Jones
Please welcome Ms. Susan Jones, a Prestage Department of Poultry Science teaching faculty member, as the new director of PSSI. Any questions regarding PSSI can be directed to Ms. Jones at sljone13@ncsu.edu.
Why participate in PSSI?
PSSI participants experience the scope behind poultry science while interacting with the faculty who make NC State's Prestage Department of Poultry Science one of the premier Poultry Science Departments in the nation. Students will engage directly with faculty and industry experts while completing a hands-on activity with them that reinforces the science being shared.
PSSI lets students "try us on for size." Participants interact informally with NC State faculty, staff, and poultry science students. Attendees learn about the diverse field of poultry science and get specific information about our poultry science degree program.
Information about a wide range of topics comes up during PSSI, including
- career fields and areas of opportunity
- scholarship requirements and availability
- internships while attending college
- employment connections when graduating
- how and when to apply to college
- and anything else you'd like to know about poultry!
Currently transitioning application to Ms. Susan Jones care - application will open soon!
PSSI Activities
PSSI youth visit broiler hatchery
Students tour Butterball headquarters
Students tour Reynolds Coliseum
Participants learn about egg quality
Participants learn about poultry vaccinations
Participants visit NCSU Vet School
PSSI youth learning about food safety
Students visit broiler farm
Dates of Event
PSSI will be held on June 14-18, 2026.
Eligibility and Fee
Eligibility
Any high school student with an interest in poultry science may apply to attend PSSI. Students must list a high school science teacher, counselor, county extension agent, 4-H leader, or vocational agriculture instructor as a reference. Students will write a brief personal statement describing why they would like to participate.To ensure the best experience for all students, PSSI is limited to 20 participants.
Fee
Each of the 20 applicants selected to attend PSSI will receive over a $700 scholarship to participate in this camp due to the generous support of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. Each participant will be charged $100 towards the total costs of the camp.
| Fee per participant | $100 |
The scholarship and fee include all housing, food, workshop materials, T-shirt, and entertainment. Scholarship applications can be arranged if the $100 student fee is a barrier. Arrangements must be made with PSSI Leadership prior to the registration deadline of May 8th.
Applying to PSSI
Requirements
Applying to PSSI requires submission of following:
- The Poultry Science Summer Immersion Application
- A brief essay (400–600 words) indicating why they're interested in attending PSSI.
- A brief audio/video (1-3 min) about yourself.
Application:
Currently transitioning the application to Ms. Susan Jones – application will open soon!
We appreciate our sponsors and partners
Thank you to the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) for their generous support of PDPS recruitment efforts, including PSSI.
Thank you to the NC State Feed Mill Education Unit.
For additional information, contact
Dr. Mary Fosnaught 4-H & Youth Development Extension Associate NC State Extension Prestage Department of Poultry Science Raleigh, NC 27695-7608
E-mail: mhfosnau@ncsu.edu
Phone: +1 919.515.5529
