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Through a partnership with Iowa State University, the program will inspire students to explore careers and opportunities in science, agriculture and related fields.
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| Students involved in the World Food Prize youth programs explore careers in STEM areas, particularly related to food and agriculture |
(Des Moines, Iowa, March 7, 2012) – The World Food Prize and Iowa State University are inviting students from every high school in the state to participate in the very first Iowa Youth Institute on Monday, April 30. The daylong program aims to inspire high school students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math, particularly related to the critical areas of food and agriculture, as well as global sustainability, development and policy work.
Governor Terry Branstad will attend the event and give a keynote address. He will be joined at the event by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and ISU President Steven Leath. Pioneer Hi-Bred President Paul Schickler and his wife Claudia, whose generous personal donation has made this new statewide program possible, will also participate in the day’s events.
“We are thrilled to be able to create this educational opportunity for students all across Iowa,” said Amb. Kenneth M. Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation. “It was the dream of our founder, Dr. Norman Borlaug, to build youth programs here in Iowa and across the country that would encourage the next generation of innovators and scientists to continue the fight against hunger and to solve our world’s global challenges.”
Interested students have until April 1 to register online, and must also submit a five-page essay at that time about an issue related to global food security. Details and instructions are available at this link.
During the day, the students will present their papers in small groups and interact with experts from both the academic world and the food and agriculture industries. They will have the opportunity to tour labs and learn about current research initiatives going on in Iowa that have a global impact. Finally, students will hear from several keynote speakers. Teachers accompanying each student will also participate in all of these interactive activities and will be exposed to the opportunities that abound for today’s students.
This year, The World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute will welcome 200 students from across the state. Slots are filling up quickly, so interested students are encouraged to register immediately. Learn more at www.worldfoodprize.org/iowayouth or contact Catherine Swoboda at 515-245-3727 or cswoboda@worldfoodprize.org.
TODAY: The World Food Prize is sharing information about its youth programs at the Iowa State Capitol today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of STEM Education Day. The World Food Prize will have a display in the rotunda; staff will be on hand, as will students who have participated in other World Food Prize youth programs. For a brochure about our programs, and examples of the careers that have been launched, visit www.worldfoodprize.org/launchingcareers.
ABOUT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE YOUTH PROGRAMS: Students participating in statewide youth institutes write an essay on a food security topic each year. The top students from several states are then invited to attend the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in October, where they interact with experts at the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium, visit research facilities and take part in interactive activities, and present their essays to panels of experts that include World Food Prize laureates and other renowned scientists. They are also eligible to apply for Borlaug-Ruan International Internships, eight-week summer internships at research centers in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
ABOUT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE: The World Food Prize was founded in 1986 by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, The World Food Prize has honored outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions to improving the quality, quantity or availability of food throughout the world. Laureates have been recognized from Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Denmark, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the United States.
Media Contact: Megan Forgrave, Director of Communications, 515-245-3794