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Science of Agriculture Challenge

Do you have students with strong interests in STEM, including bio energy, design, robotics, machinery, forestry, invention, structures, food security, materials, natural resources, geography, water quality, conservation, engineering, economics, food science, animal health, habitat …!....or any other food, fiber, agriculture or natural resources related subject?

The University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development and Minnesota 4-H have made hands-on STEM learning and fostering communication skills a priority.  Youth in grades 6 through one year past high school in teams of 3-5 (any age combination) can participate in the project-based Science of Agriculture Challenge.  This initiative incorporates the 4-H ideals of thinking globally, acting locally, as outlined in our pledge since 1927: I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

Dakota County 4-H and Inver Hills Community College have partnered to develop a program that will allow qualified students to earn college credit for this project*. 

Winning team members can win up to $1000 each in scholarships, and all teams will attend the Challenge event to be held at the University of Minnesota in June.

Past teams have registered patents, partnered with Google and contracted as a start-up with Polaris!  Projects could be anything from the creation of environmentally safer dyes for wool to making energy from algae. Teams could establish process chain relationships that reduce food waste or create inexpensive water monitoring tools. Possibilities to improve our community abound!

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity for your students, please contact Anja Johnson at Dakota County 4-H akoester@umn.edu 651 480-7758  or Kristin Digiulio at Inver Hills Community College.  kristin.digiulio@inverhills.edu 651-450-3272

There will be an informational session in Farmington, MN on the evening of Tuesday November 14.  Details on this meet and greet will be coming later.

Please share this information with anyone that might be interested. 

*College credit is available for qualified 10-12th grade students – the deadline for PSEO application, including placement testing, is December 1, 2017.  Youth need not live in Dakota County.  Students interested in this option should begin the application process as soon as possible.  Details on the application process are attached, and the application, with requirements for qualifying students can be found here: www.inverhills.edu/DegreesAndPrograms/CollegeForHSStudents/