The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison will host the ninth annual World Food Prize Wisconsin Youth Institute on Monday, Apr. 10. This event brings together high school students in grades 9-12 from across Wisconsin to learn more about critical global challenges. Lauryn Christianson, Prospective Student Services Coordinator and Wisconsin Youth Institute (WYI) coordinator at UW-Madison explains what this institute is and how to be involved.
“Students will interact with faculty, partake in interactive sessions, and engage in dialogue about critical global challenges surrounding food systems, natural resources, world hunger and poverty,” explains Christianson.
The event is a great professional development opportunity for students as they’ll be able to meet other youth from around the state and work on their public speaking skills. If a student is at all interested in food insecurity and the things that impact it, they’ll get a lot out of participating in this event.
To participate in this event, students must research a global issue they care about and submit a research paper under the supervision of a teacher or mentor. During the Wisconsin Youth Institute, students will present their research papers and share their proposed solutions to these challenges.
The top students at the Wisconsin Youth Institute will be invited to attend the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute held in conjunction with the World Food Prize International Symposium in October.
“Students will have a chance to talk with faculty members and student leaders who are already focusing on bettering food security in Wisconsin,” says Christianson. “This will help them qualify to apply for paid USDA fellowships as well as international internships.”
Registration for this year’s event closes on Friday, March 24th. However it is a yearly event and Christianson encourages more students to participate.
For more information about the WYI, research paper guidelines and to register, visit www.worldfoodprize.org/wisconsin. For questions, contact Lauryn Christianson, WYI coordinator, at [email protected].
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