middle school – Iowa Jump$tart Coalition

Each year, the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition, with support from the National Council for Economic Education, hosts two major statewide competitions: the Economics Challenge and the Iowa Personal Finance Challenge. These events offer students a platform to demonstrate their understanding of economic and financial literacy through competitive, interactive experiences. This year, both competitions were held at the Iowa State Research Park Economic Development Core Facility.

Economics Challenge – April 9

On April 9, students from across Iowa participated in the annual Economics Challenge. This online competition tested their knowledge of economic principles through a series of examinations. Participants competed against peers statewide, showcasing their academic skills and earning cash prizes, awards, and recognition for their achievements.

2025 Economics Challenge Finalists:

Adam Smith Division
- West Senior High School (1st and 2nd)
- Clarinda High School
David Ricardo Division
- Montezuma High School (1st)
- St. Ansgar High School (2nd)
- Ankeny Centennial High School
- Clarinda High School
Middle School Division
- West Middle School
- Anamosa Middle School
- Clarinda Middle School
- Montezuma Middle School

Personal Finance Challenge – April 16

A week later, on April 16, the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition held the Iowa Personal Finance Challenge. This event brought together the top-performing high school teams from fall and spring regional competitions for a live state championship.

Teams were assigned fictional case studies and tasked with creating financial recommendations for their assigned client. Their presentations were evaluated by a panel of judges comprising economists, business leaders, and financial professionals.

2025 Personal Finance Challenge Finalists:

High School Division
- Montezuma High School (1st)
- Waukee Northwest High School (2nd)
- Lake Mills High School (3rd)
- Kingsley-Pierson High School
- Clarinda High School
- Bellevue High School
- St. Ansgar High School
Middle School Division
- Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School
- Montezuma Middle School
- West Middle School
- Clarinda Middle School

These competitions continue to promote financial literacy and economic understanding among Iowa’s youth, equipping them with valuable skills for the future.

Economics Challenge Winners and Finalists

The Iowa Finance Challenge is a new online financial literacy program available for middle and high school students. This online competition includes 30 questions for students to test their knowledge on income and money management, spending and credit, and savings and investing. Students compete in teams of three or four in the challenge, and test individually to measure the knowledge they have gained.

In addition to providing students with a fun and engaging way to build their financial literacy knowledge, the challenge offers students the chance to win cash prizes. Prizes will be awarded in April during Money Smart Week to the first, second and third place winning teams. The first place team will receive $25 per team member, the second place team will receive $15 per team member, and the third place team will receive $10 per team member. Every team that participates also is registered for a drawing for a $100 gift card.

Teachers interested in having students participate in the challenge can contact Erica Vonk of the Iowa Center for Economic Education at Dordt College at 712-722-6341 or Erica.Vonk@Dordt.edu. The challenge is being facilitated and managed by the Iowa Center for Economic Education at Dordt College, and made possible through a joint sponsorship by the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition and Wells Fargo.

Visit their website at http://financechallenge.unl.edu and click on Iowa.

Tag: middle school

The 2025 Econ and Finance Challenges Results

Team up to win the Finance Challenge!