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April 20, 2007
Illinois Fed Challenge
Yesterday, I was at the Chicago Fed helping to judge the high school Fed Challenge. I was impressed with the overall quality of presentations. Hopefully some of them will go on to compete in the college version of the competition.
The overwhelming (unanimous?) consensus of the teams competing was to keep the target for the fed funds rate unchanged. No surprises there.
In the Illinois competition, it appears that the schools were all from the Chicago area. Here's hoping that some downstate schools will get involved. It would be great to see the program grow. The more students are exposed to economics in the high schools, the better.
As a side note, Tim Schilling (who works tirelessly at organizing these competitions all around the 7th District) tells me that for my judging efforts I will receive an official "Fed Challenge T-shirt". When it arrives, you can expect a photo for the blog.
As another side note, after the competition, I had a couple hours in Chicago before catching the train home. I spent that time (and could have spent hours more) at the Art Institute of Chicago. The featured exhibition right now is Cezanne to Picasso: Ambroise Vollard, Patron of the Avant-Garde. Well worth your time and the price of admission.
Posted by William Polley at April 20, 2007 3:56 PM
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Comments
Thanks for the kudos, Dr. Polley. Your insights and willingness to take your time to act as judge are appreciated, both by me and by the students and teachers.
We would welcome interest from Illinois high schools outside the Chicago area. Those schools in southern Illinois can also contact the St. Louis Fed. They would also welcome interest.
I think you'll agree with me that seeing students applying the things they learn in economics to real life is most gratifying.
Posted by: Tim at April 23, 2007 2:28 PM
Welcome to the Helicopter Patrol.
Posted by: Stephen Karlson at April 25, 2007 11:22 AM