World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute SPIN Club

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January 30, 2023 -

World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute SPIN Club

Suggested Outline or Agenda for Teaching

What is a SPIN Club? In 4-H, a SPIN club is a special interest club where five or more young people from at least two different families get together to learn about a topic of interest (https://www.canr.msu.edu/spin-clubs/). This outline is for a nine-week SPIN Club program focused on the research, writing and paper submission. Each meeting should be one hour/one class period in length. This outline may be expanded or condensed to fit a variety of audiences and venues.

Acronym Definitions:

  • SPIN - special interest
  • WFP - World Food Prize
  • MYI - Michigan Youth Institute
  • WFPMYI - World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute

Week 1: Introduction to World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute and Dr. Borlaug

  • Start with interactive ice breaker
  • What is the WFPMYI?
  • What is the goal of the youth institute?
  • Who is Dr. Borlaug and why is he important?
  • How can we be more like him?
  • What can you do if you do well at the Michigan Youth Institute level?

Week 2: Scientific writing and citing resources

  • Why is this important?
  • Process of Science activity -

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_shape_of_science

  • Building employability skills.
  • Tips for writing a challenge paper -

https://www.worldfoodprize.org/en/youth_programs/webinar_tips_for_writin

g_a_global_challenge_paper/

  • Credible online sources of information.
  • Pick a country and a challenge.

Week 3: Pick a country and challenge/start preliminary research

  • Narrow your list - What country do you want to explore?
  • What challenge are you most passionate about addressing?
  • How to think outside the box for solutions to challenges.

Week 4: Start writing paper

  • Describe the country.
  • Describe a typical family.
  • Tell about your challenge:

     o How does it impact food security?

     o What is your solution(s)/recommendation(s)?

     o Write the conclusion.

Week 5: Complete draft of paper/first round edits

  • Opportunity for three peer edits.

Week 6: Revisions/second round edits

  • Format the paper.
  • Teacher/mentor will provide feedback.

     o If time, edit paper after feedback.

Week 7: Mock round table experience

  • Mock round table with community members and/or school administration.
  • Round table judges will have the opportunity to give feedback on paper.
  • Share a copy of participant papers (no more than four to five papers per reviewer) ahead of meeting time in order to receive community members’ feedback.

Week 8: Final edits

  • Receive final feedback on paper.
  • Receive feedback on round table experience.
  • Revise paper if needed.
  • Last chance for questions and answers.
  • Possible paper submission and event registration if time allows.

Week 9: Submit papers/wrap up

  • Submit paper and register participant(s) for the event.
  • Wrap up the project experience.

     o What did you learn about yourself?

     o What did you learn about other countries?

     o Why do you think this is important to study?

     o How can you use this skill in the future?

     o What can we do in our own community to address some of the problems talked about in the papers? Examples include: safe water, food on every table and women’s rights.

     o Celebrate work completed.

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