Economics Challenge

The National Economics Challenge is a great opportunity for high school students to test their knowledge against other students of similar ability throughout Oregon.  There are divisions for AP/IB students and divisions for introductory or general economics students.  The contest is online. Students compete together as a team. This is an excellent tool to encourage interest  in economics and play to students natural interest in competing. Teachers: To participate in the EconChallenge go to:   https://econchallenge.unl.edu/Oregon/Welcome  select your state and register as a teacher. Once you have registered as a teacher, you can begin to create student teams of 3 to 4 students in either of two divisions:

• Adam Smith: students enrolled in any two semester economics macro and micro course sequence or any course labeled as AP, IB, honors, or differentiated. If you previously participated in the David Ricardo Division, you must register for the Adam Smith division in this year’s competition.
• David Ricardo: any one semester, introductory or general combined, macro and micro economics course. Teams are encouraged to compete in the division that would challenge them the most. https://econchallenge.unl.edu/Oregon/Welcome 

Economics Challenge Resources

• 2020 Rules and Eligibility
• Teacher and Coach Toolkit and Resources

Our next Econ Challenge will take place in March 2021. 

I have been doing the Econ Challenge for over 17 years and my students have found it to be a great benefit.

-   They get to compete in a national test to test their knowledge of economics prior to the AP exams. That means they get to review the microeconomics and macroeconomics materials and better prepare for the exams. Over the years every student who has completed has scored a 4 or 5 on both exams.

-   My students who competed last year enjoyed the experience so much that they are starting a club, specifically designed to prepare for the challenge. I was skeptical, however they have over 40 people signed up. This is a first for Westview. 

Rick Bortnick, Westview High School

The Economics Challenge provided incentive for my students to work hard outside of the classroom to learn topics we did not cover in my Macro only course. Students were excited by the challenge to compete against other bright minds in the state, felt proud of their accomplishment and talked enthusiastically about how much they knew. We are excited to participate again this year. 

Alex Roscher, Ashland High School

Adam Smith Division

First place;  Lake Oswego High School, Teacher, Daniel Eizyk; Second place, Westview High School, Teacher, Rick Bortnick

David Ricardo Division

First place; Enterprise High School, Teacher, Mike Baird, Second place, Enterprise High School, Teacher, Mike Baird

Please send email to; contact@econoregon.org