World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute SPIN Club
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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
- 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.
