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04/25/2013
Engaging activities hosted across ISU’s campus and conversations with scientific experts and business leaders will showcase STEM pathways for students.
(Des Moines, Iowa) April 25, 2013 -- The World Food Prize Foundation will connect students and teachers from across Iowa who are interested in science, agriculture and related fields to innovators and cutting-edge academic and career opportunities during the second annual World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute at Iowa State University on Monday, April 29. The daylong program engages students and challenges them to think globally and pursue opportunities in the sciences as they embark on their postsecondary studies and career paths.
In order to attend, each student writes a research paper about a key issue that impacts hunger in another a country, such as water scarcity or gender inequality. The students present their research and propose solutions to improve the situation, in small-group roundtable discussions facilitated by academic and industry leaders. Students and teachers participate in hands-on “immersion” activities in research facilities and labs at Iowa State University; interact with Iowa business and industry leaders, academics, legislative officials and their peers; and discover how educational and career paths in Iowa address global challenges. Participating teachers will gain professional development experience by participating in the events, garnering resources, and connecting with colleagues across disciplines.
Governor Terry Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa State University President Steven Leath, DuPont Pioneer President Paul Schickler and World Food Prize President Amb. Kenneth M. Quinn will speak at the event. The Iowa Youth Institute is made possible by the generous personal support of Paul and Claudia Schickler. The media is welcome to attend.
EVENT DETAILS:
WHEN: Monday, April 29.
9 a.m. Opening remarks by Steven Leath, President of ISU; Paul Schickler, President of Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business; and Amb. Kenneth Quinn, President of the World Food Prize (Great Hall, Memorial Union)
9:35 a.m. Hands-on activities (across campus); Student roundtable discussions (Memorial Union)
12:15 p.m. Students interact with industry and university experts during roundtable lunch (Memorial Union, Second Floor)
1 p.m. Keynote address by Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds
1:35 p.m. Hands-on activities (across campus); Student roundtable discussions (Memorial Union)
4 p.m. Closing ceremony (Great Hall, Memorial Union)
WHERE: Iowa State University’s Memorial Union, 2229 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa. Immersion activities will take place in labs, classrooms and other facilities across campus.
PRESS DETAILS: All events will be open to the media; due to space constraints, the events are closed to other members of the public. A press riser, audio feed and press tables will be provided in the Great Hall during remarks. Media should check in at the registration table.
SOCIAL MEDIA: @WorldFoodPrize will tweet the event, using hashtag #IYI2013.
MORE INFORMATION: More information is available online at www.worldfoodprize.org/iowayouth.
BACKGROUND: The World Food Prize holds statewide youth institutes in several states to inspire young people to continue the legacy of Dr. Norman Borlaug and fight hunger by pursuing educational and career paths in global agriculture. The top students each year and others from around the country are invited to attend the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in October, where they participate in other World Food Prize events such as the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium, which last year drew 1,200 people from 65 countries, and the Laureate Award Ceremony. They interact with experts, participate in hunger relief programs and activities, and present their research findings to peers and global leaders. Over 20 students each year are accepted as Borlaug-Ruan International Interns, and are sent on all-expenses-paid, eight-week internships at research centers in Asia, Africa, Latin American and the Middle East. Finally, students who participate in the World Food Prize youth programs are also eligible to apply for Wallace-Carver internships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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, Israel, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the United States. The World Food Prize Foundation is based in Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States.
Press Contact: Megan Forgrave, Director of Communications, 515-245-3794
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