The four lead institutions will be included in a nationwide network created to implement innovative initiatives for a Grand Challenge Scholars Institute. The funds will also promote systems thinking and career readiness that is crucial in the FANH fields.
“High-impact, collaborative, transformational learning experiences are hallmarks of honors education,” said Bott-Knutson. “Imagine every honors student has access to the top content experts and educators in the nation/world. Further imagine that they have regular access to one another, collectively cultivating a comprehensive worldview, unrestricted by geography or financial need.”
The three-year initiative — “The Justice Challenge: Engaging Students in the Future of Food, Climate and Sustainable Agriculture” — will promote exploration from participating institutions on a grand challenge theme each year that falls under USDA priority areas. Yearly themes include food justice, climate justice and sustainable agriculture.
A new group of honors students will have the opportunity to take part in the Grand Challenge Scholars Institute each year. The challenge will begin with a colloquium that introduces students to the chosen theme and each other. The students will then choose which signature experience they will participate in — field experience, design challenge or hackathon. At the end of every one-year institute, a conference will be held to showcase the work of students and to strengthen the network between students and experts in the FANH sciences.
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