GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida high school students have the opportunity to experience college life at the University of Florida while learning how the agricultural, natural and life sciences impact their families and communities around the world.
Rising high school juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply for the Florida Youth Institute (FYI), a week-long summer program sponsored by the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and The World Food Prize Foundation.
“The most impactful parts of FYI for me were the talks that we had with professionals in science fields,” said 2016 FYI participant and current UF animal sciences freshman Cole Hersom. “Through FYI, you get to learn more about the jobs and importance of these professionals’ work. It’s great for seeing what fields of study in the sciences pique your interests.”
FYI participants will:
- Engage in hands-on activities and demonstrations.
- Experience indoor and outdoor laboratories and campus facilities.
- Meet CALS Dean Elaine Turner, representatives from FDACS, faculty, staff and current CALS students.
- Examine issues in agriculture, life sciences and natural resources.
- Experience one week in a campus residence hall.
- Reflect on worldwide challenges such as food security.
“I want to be able to have a deep, positive impact on people on the largest scale that I can,” Hersom said. “I believe that one of the greatest ways that I can impact people is through food and nutrient consumption. Going into FYI I wanted to be a veterinarian, but during FYI I realized that I wanted what I do with my life to have a positive impact on people. Ultimately, my career goal is to be in a position where I can use animal science to help people combat global hunger and malnutrition.”
Applications to FYI can be found on the UF Center for Precollegiate Education and Training website and are due Feb. 28. Cost of attendance to the program is $350 per participant. Applicants will have the opportunity to select one of the two camp weeks in July (week 1: 15-20 or week 2: 22-27).
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) administers the degree programs of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The mission of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is to deliver unsurpassed educational programs that prepare students to address the world’s critical challenges related to agriculture, food systems, human wellbeing, natural resources and sustainable communities. The college has received more total (national and regional combined) USDA teaching awards than any other institution. Visit the CALS website at cals.ufl.edu, and follow CALS on social media platforms at @ufcals.