The AgCountry Challenge offers an exclusive opportunity for west central Minnesota high school students to see how UMN Morris has designed, developed, and implemented sustainable solutions to address challenges on campus and in the community.
To do this, university faculty and staff share the why and how behind the work—offering insights and experiences that build on what high school students know and can do. In this way, AgCountry Challenge is honoring the university’s 60-plus-year commitment to provide educational opportunities for young people in west central Minnesota.
AgCountry Challenge Events
Fall Event: Nov 5, 2025
High School students from the region will gather for an exciting, free, immersive fall day of learning, featuring:
- Keynote Speaker(s) from AgCountry Farm Credit Services
- Local tours of innovative rural businesses
- Lunch provided by UMM Dining Services
A special 2025 Guest Presentation: STEM Circus: Award-winning Kenyan Guest Presenter Kenneth Monjero
Signup for AgCountry Challenge event
The STEM Circus is a thrilling, one-hour interactive science performance designed to spark curiosity and excitement about science among students through visually captivating experiments and hands-on demonstrations. This mobile science show blends education and entertainment, transforming complex scientific concepts into memorable learning experiences. Through a variety of live experiments—such as the explosive Elephant Toothpaste reaction, the fiery Rocket Launcher demo, and the chilling Liquid Nitrogen Clouds—students witness science in action and explore how it applies to everyday life. Each experiment is paired with clear explanations and real-life relevance, from combustion and pressure in engines to cloud formation and climate change, and the invisible forces that make a ball hover. With engaging add-ons like the Skewer Through a Balloon, Fire Show, and Upside-Down Water Demo, the STEM Circus delivers not only fun but also deep understanding of key concepts in physics, chemistry, and environmental science. This dynamic show creates a platform for learners to interact with science, ask questions, and be inspired to explore STEM fields
further.
Spring Event:
The Spring AgCountry Challenge is centered around the international World Food Prize competition, which is a foundation focused on youth involvement in solving challenges with global food security. Students from regional schools write essays and are selected to bring them to the U of MN Morris campus for panel review each year. Students delegates are chosen to attend the prestigious World Food Prize Youth Convention in Des Moines, Iowa, which is held annually in October.
The participation in the World Food Prize essay competition fulfills many of the new high school Social Sciences standards beginning in 2026. Please reach out to our director for more information or to register for either the Fall or Spring Agcountry Challenge events today!
Students' Reactions
"I found it very interesting how the University promoted conservation efforts and was the cause of the increased popularity of electric vehicles and buses in our area."
—JM, grade 12
"While I was there I learned that there was more than just garbage and recycling, there is also composting, and of course, I’ve heard of this before, but I never realized how effective it can be, and what it does for the community. I think it is incredible that there are other businesses in Morris that have been influenced by this and are starting to compost as well!"
—AS, grade 12
High School Teacher Perspective
"It really opened the [students’] eyes to what wonderful choices they have ahead of them for their future careers. The tour of the campus and programs was engaging, informative, and fun. I truly believe it sparked excitement and possibility for our students.
—Paula Wojcik, Bertha-Hewitt High School teacher
"Even though our school is just 30 miles away, this was the first time any of our students had exposure to the great work that UMN Morris is doing in renewable energy projects as well as the work of the West Central Research and Outreach Center in studying innovative food systems projects. The collaboration between the schools and the leaders at UMN Morris was an engaging change to how students in different schools interact compared to their normal relationships of competition found in sporting events."
—Eric Sawatzke, West Central Area High School teacher