Annual EconChallenge Expands Knowledge

Sam Larsen

Staff Writer

On Dec. 4 the Nebraska Council of Economic Education sponsored the semi-annual “Econ Challenge” online. Twice a school year middle and high schools around the state participate in this event.

The challenge is an opportunity for students to show their knowledge about economics by competing against other students across the state in a written “Quiz Bowl”. The quiz consists of 30 questions and must be completed in 35 minutes or less.

Students in Nebraska begin the challenge by participating in a preliminary first round of the challenge online in the fall. This is a “practice” for the state challenge in the spring. Students can participate regardless of how much economics they have learned.

Last year, there were about 200 schools from across the state participating in the challenge. The top ten schools from the spring competition will be invited to attend the State Finals in Lincoln. Last school year, Waverly took three teams to state and all three placed. Top participants are awarded recognition certificates and cash prizes. Last year in the fall preliminaries, three Waverly teams placed in the top ten: first, third and ninth.

The competition challenges the economic knowledge of students and gives everyone a chance to participate. However, the questions may be difficult due to the fact that many students haven’t taken macroeconomics yet, that will be offered the next semester for those who have successfully passed microeconomics.

“The quiz is over macro, micro and international economics,” economics teacher Trent Goldsmith said. “All we have covered to date is microeconomics.”