Program Overview

Photo of kidsDeveloped in 1991 at the University of Denver’s Center for Teaching International Relations, the World Affairs Challenge is rooted in academics, emphasizing creativity and solution-oriented critical thinking. Each year, CTIR chooses an overarching annual theme confronting the international community to help focus student research. The Challenge offers three separate elements within one program, each of which engages a different set of skills and talents from the teams involved.

Working in teams, students choose an aspect of the annual theme to be their Formal Presentation topic. On Challenge day, students present their findings to panels of judges drawn from the community. They meet peers from other schools around the state and engage in substantive discourse about the annual theme.

Download additional information about the 2010 structure here

Download the 2010 Registration Form here

 

Why should you get involved?

Students: Click to expand list here:[-]
  • Discover and explore exciting new content; it’s not your parents’ social studies course
  • Work with peers on a collaborative project
  • Employ research skills that will help in college courses
  • Hone persuasive public speaking skills
  • Tackle and propose viable solutions to real-world problems
  • Formulate and defend an argument
  • Build confidence and expand horizons
  • Develop leadership skills
  • Engage in substantive discourse with adult members of the community
  • Identify and extract the most important information gathered during research
  • Build résumé

Teachers Click to expand list here:[-]
  • The program reinforces skills already promoted in the classroom:
    • Teamwork
    • Personal responsibility
    • Research
    • Writing
    • Problem-based learning
    • Public speaking
  • Receive FREE resource materials that support students’ preparation
  • Have access to expertise: the DU Research Advisor becomes the expert on the annual topics and supports students’ research
  • The Challenge is a comprehensive activity for the ultimate performance assessment
  • Your students of all backgrounds and abilities can participate and succeed
  • It gives your students a connection to students from other schools and backgrounds and to a university environment

Schools Click to expand list here:[-]
  • Students must apply learning to real problems not hypothetical ones
  • Students demonstrate learning in a non-traditional and creative way
  • Students connect with peers from around the state
  • Not simply a Q&A competition, but is substantive and requires young people to synthesize and analyze information
  • Connection to service learning opportunities
  • Endorsed by the National Council for the Social Studies
University of Denver, World Affairs Challenge, 2201 South Gaylord St., Denver, CO 80208