EURO CHALLENGE 2010

The Euro Challenge 2010

The European Union Center of Excellence at the University of Wisconsin- Madison was pleased to support the participation of two Wisconsin high school teams at the Annual Euro Challenge Competition in Chicago on March 26, 2010. This was the first year that any schools from Wisconsin had participated in the competition, and the EUCE would like to express its thanks to the teams from Madison East High School and Kettle Moraine High School (Wales) who joined 9 Illinois schools in the rigorous all-day competition hosted by the Chicago Federal Reserve.

The team from Madison East- consisting of Wilder Dietz, Benjamin Esdaile, Jacob Rodgers, Anna Hipke-Krueger, and Kylie Bergstrom- chose as their competition topic the theme of slow growth, and discussed it in the context of Germany, while Kettle Moraine (Jillian Drewes, Morgan Smith, Gillian Locke, and Sydney Washcovick) presented on Cyprus and the issues this country faces in living with a single monetary policy.

The competition was a memorable experience for the two teams, allowing them to expand their knowledge of the EU and the euro, develop their understanding of economic issues, and forge close friendships with their team members. Michele Koper (Faculty Advisor - Kettle Moraine) was delighted by the way her team responded to the Euro Challenge: "I cannot begin to express what an impact Euro Challenge has had on my students. While it was an intense and rigorous process, it was well worth it. I had the opportunity to advise three sophomores and one freshman in preparation for the Euro Challenge competition. Developing such a thorough knowledge of the European Union and introductory economics at a younger age, has given them a solid foundation for their future academic endeavors."

William Gibson (Faculty Advisor - Madison East) commented on the "remarkable transformation that took place in the team as the weeks progressed. As the students' knowledge of the issues grew so did their enthusiasm and their sense of team spirit. In addition to the wonderful learning experience the Euro Challenge provided, it also developed a sense of camaraderie between five students who otherwise would not have been drawn together in their regular school days. I am very proud of the students, their Euro Challenge presentation, and the professional way in which they represented our school."

To read Madison East student testimonials from Anna Hipke-Krueger and Wilder Dietz and from Benjamin Esdaile, please click here.

For a picture of the Madison East team please click here.

Sponsors and Support

The competition is sponsored by the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States in Washington, D.C., with the technical support of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Other partner organizations include The Moody's Foundation, Credit Suisse, the University of North Carolina, Florida International University, the University of Michigan, the University of Pittsburgh, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

What Is the Euro Challenge?

The Euro Challenge is a national competition supported by the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States and is specifically designed for 9th and 10th graders to learn about the European Union (EU), the European economy and the euro.

The Euro Challenge is a wonderful educational opportunity for Wisconsin high schools and is of particular value to 9th and 10th grade students in global studies, economics, world history/geography or European studies classes.

The goals of the Euro Challenge are:

to increase students' knowledge and understanding of the European Union and the Euro
to promote an understanding of economic challenges facing European Union member nations
to support local learning standards related to global studies and economics
to foster economic and financial literacy and understanding of economic policy issues
to develop communication, critical thinking, and cooperative skills

The Competition Task

The Euro Challenge competition for high school students tests their knowledge and understanding of the European economy and the euro, the currency shared by many of the 27 countries of the European Union (EU). For the 2010 Euro Challenge competition, which will take place in the spring of 2010, student teams are asked to make 15-minute presentations in which they must:

Describe the current economic situation in the euro area (the economic region
consisting of the 16 EU member countries who have adopted the euro)
Select one economic-related challenge confronting the euro area as a whole, and pick one of the 16 member countries of the euro area to illustrate that challenge.
Recommend a policy or policies for addressing the challenge you identified in the
country you selected. Be sure to include in your recommendation a discussion of how
having a single currency may or may not affect the policy choices for addressing the
challenge.

Teams can choose one of the following economic-related challenges:

slow growth
high unemployment
inflation
adaptation to technological change (raising productivity)
globalization (including immigration)
aging (including health care)
living with a single monetary policy
sustaining the social system (welfare state)
coping with a housing market slowdown
high government deficits and debt

Presentations are followed by 10 minutes of questioning by a panel of judges who are
educators or experts in European economic affairs.

Schools selected to participate in the Euro Challenge will be provided with professional
development, information resources, and coaching to provide guidance and assistance.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to enroll in the competition, teams must observe the following eligibility requirements, which are subject to change:

High schools located in regions coordinated by partner institutions (i.e., participating Federal Reserve banks or European Union Centers of Excellence at several US universities). Emphasis is put on the participation of public high schools.
The participation of one team, consisting of three to five 9th and 10th grade students in global studies, economics, world history/geography or European studies classes.
Two faculty advisors for the school team. Advisors will be invited to attend a general orientation seminar in November of 2009 and are required to attend the Euro Challenge competition rounds with their student team.

For Additional Information

Information and Questions

More information on Euro Challenge and complete rules for the competition may be found by visiting their official website.

Click here to download a registration and information packet.

Questions can be directed to the European Studies Alliance Assistant Director, Csanád Siklós, at siklos@wisc.edu or 608.265.4766.