University of Minnesota Morris holds Morris Challenge Youth Institute May 14

The University of Minnesota Morris will welcome high school students and their teachers from the Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, Kalon Prep Academy of Alexandria, and West Central Area schools to campus to participate in the third annual Morris Challenge Youth Institute on Tuesday, May 14.

The Morris Challenge Youth Institute is an official World Food Prize event designed for students from a 23-county area of west central Minnesota. The day-long program provided an immersive cross-curricular experience and allowed participants to present solutions to global hunger issues.

Participating high school students chose a country and researched the effects of poverty and hunger on its citizens. The students then researched various solutions to address these issues and identified which solution they believed was most promising for that country. The students wrote a paper explaining their conclusion and why they believed it would work.

While on campus, students had the opportunity to engage with local leaders and experts on critical global challenges, participate in hands-on activities, and explore exciting ways to make a difference in Minnesota and around the world.  Additionally, the students presented their findings to subject matter experts from throughout west central Minnesota.

Morris Challenge Director Doug Reed said, “UMN Morris is working to solve tough challenges. This spring event was focused on exploring how people in other countries in the world live. At our fall event, the focus will be closer to home. Participants will be exploring solutions to challenges in their own communities. We know young people are eager to strengthen their communities and these programs provide some insights and inspiration.”

For more information, contact Morris Challenge Director Doug Reed at dougreed@morris.umn.edu.