In this global economy, it is becoming increasingly important for students to learn about the world and to think in a global context. This exciting program provides students with the tools, knowledge, and guidance to work through a challenging global issue. Now entering its fourth year, the Global Ideas Institute (GII) is an initiative of the Munk School of Global Affairs. The GII was conceived in the Asian Institute at the Munk School and led by Professors Joseph Wong and Janice Stein to provide intensive research and learning opportunities for high school students. Starting this year, the Global Ideas Institute will be an ongoing collaborative program between the Munk School of Global Affairs, the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, and The Learning Partnership Canada. Participating high school student teams, of 4-6 students, tackle a global challenge, a real-world problem without a current solution. U of T experts will present monthly lectures that will provide context to the issue. Each student team will also have U of T student mentors to guide them and help them to develop innovative ideas to address the problem. Mentoring can be in-person or online, and lectures can be made available via video. Each lecture is supplemented with a package of articles, current research, and additional videos to provide students with context and knowledge. Faculty expertise combined with the support and guidance from U of T mentors will prepare high school students for a day-long symposium and poster exhibition to present their ideas at the Munk School of Global Affairs on April 8, 2015. Every year, the GII Challenge presents student teams with background on a pressing global issue, one that the world’s experts, scientists and leaders are still trying to resolve. The Global Ideas Institute is the place where students can put their creativity, knowledge and problem-solving to the test. Past GII Challenges include: 1) dealing with the issue of preventable blindness in India; 2) effectively and economically delivering nutrients to children in development regions; 3) redesigning a toilet for areas without sanitation infrastructure.
