Center for Economic Education & Entrepreneurship
The CEEE has been making a difference in K-12 economic and financial education for more than 50 years.
By outfitting more than 3,000 teachers annually with high quality, grade-appropriate professional development and peer networking opportunities, UD’s Center for Economic Education & Entrepreneurship (CEEE) empowers educators to deliver the practical skills students need to graduate as economically literate and flourishing citizens.
Through supplemental classroom instruction and experiential programs, students learn firsthand:
- How markets work
- How conscientious spending, saving and investing can lead to financial security
- How innovation through entrepreneurship is a possibility for all
The CEEE, affiliated with the Delaware Council on Economic Education, also offers a unique advanced degree program. Graduates of the Master of Arts in Economics & Entrepreneurship for Educators are well-positioned to become change agents in their own schools, districts and regions.
Stay Up-to-Date With CEEE
- Calendar of 2022-2023 Programming
- Read our Annual Report
- Sign up for the CEEE Newsletter
- Connect with us on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter
Recent News
- Lerner UD CEEE Economic Education Conference Gives Local Teachers Lessons to Use in Classrooms - The event returned to an in-person format this year, giving local teachers the chance to connect with fellow educators on new methods of teaching economics to students.
- SYLP and Lerner CEEE Partner To Hold Economics Summer Camp - A partnership between the Siegfried Youth Leadership Program and Lerner’s Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship launched a summer camp for Delaware students.
- CEEE’s Meaningful Economics Competition Teaches Economic Concepts for a Lifetime - UD Lerner Alumna Erin Yetter knew she wanted her son to participate in CEEE’s Meaningful Economics Competition. After all, it helped launch her own career.
- Newark Charter Wins Second Straight Personal Finance Challenge - Newark Charter captured the Delaware Personal Finance Challenge for the second consecutive year, defeating A.I. duPont in the final round.
- Delaware students recognized for strong performance in Stock Market Game - Your investment strategy likely doesn’t come close to what these Delaware students achieved in the spring Stock Market Game competition
Programs
Bank At School
Representatives from community banks and credit unions visit their local elementary schools weekly to accept student deposits for non-custodial, no-fee savings accounts the students have set up. There are accompanying lessons that emphasize financial management and hands-on learning. Direct Bank At School program inquiries to Judy Austin at judyaustin1@comcast.net
The Bonnie T. Meszaros Economics Teacher of the Year Award
The annual Bonnie T. Meszaros Economics Teacher of the Year Award honors a Delaware K-12 teacher of economics, personal finance or entrepreneurship who has demonstrated a sustained history of commitment and contribution to economic education. Nominees must be full-time Delaware K-12 classroom teachers who have been engaging students in economic education for five or more years. Evaluation criteria includes teaching, professional learning and economic program development. Self-nominations are accepted. The award winner will receive a $1,000 prize and will be honored publicly at the CEEE Annual Economic Education Conference. Direct program inquiries to Scott Bacon at bacons@udel.edu.
CEEE Annual Economic Education Conference
The CEEE Annual Economic Education Conference is designed for secondary teachers of economics. The daylong gathering provides concurrent sessions highlighting content and methods, a luncheon presentation from a respected keynote speaker and an awards presentation honoring the Bonnie T. Meszaros Economics Teacher of the Year Award. The CEEE offers this conference free of charge. Direct program inquiries to Bonnie Meszaros at meszaros@udel.edu.
Economic Forecast
Hosted by the Lyons Companies and the CEEE, the Economic Forecast brings together distinguished voices that influence, determine and interpret U.S. economic policy to discuss the upcoming year’s economic climate. Typically held each year in February, the goal of the event is to provide regional business and financial communities with a better understanding of how the upcoming year’s economic climate will affect their business.
Economics for Kids
Economics for Kids provides kindergarten through third grade teachers with a comprehensive kit of grade appropriate books, lessons, manipulatives and student exercises. The kits offer economics and personal finance lessons that address Delaware economic standards. Direct program inquiries to Bonnie Meszaros at meszaros@udel.edu.
EntrePrep℠
High school juniors and seniors experience entrepreneurship and economic fundamentals through a five-day residential experience in a college setting through the EntrePrep program. Direct program inquiries to Jennifer Magaw at jmagaw@udel.edu.
Keys to Financial Success
This CEEE and Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia co-authored high school personal finance course encourages better decision making in personal finance. Educators can implement Keys to Financial Success either as a semester-long or full-year class. Weeklong summer training is available. Direct program inquiries to Gail Colbert at gcolbert@udel.edu.
Meaningful Economics and Entrepreneurship Competition (ME*)
Teams of students in the third through fifth grades participate in a competition highlighting economics, entrepreneurship and personal finance. Activities include a written test, product creating, problem solving and preparation of a marketing strategy for presentation to a panel of judges. Teachers can begin preparing their students for the event using online practice resources (PDF). Direct program inquiries to Bonnie Meszaros at meszaros@udel.edu.
Mini-Society
Students in the third through sixth grades establish mini economic systems in which they create and manage currency and run businesses that provide goods and essential services for their society. Students experience roles as producers, consumers and voting citizens, and learn economic and entrepreneurial concepts. Direct program inquires to Bonnie Meszaros at meszaros@udel.edu.
Personal Finance Challenge (PFC)
The PFC provides high school students with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of personal finance by competing with other students from throughout the state. Educators administer the first round of the PFC online and in school. Each teacher’s highest scoring team is then invited to participate in the state championship held in Newark, Delaware. Participating teams compete in a three-round competition with the top two teams advancing to a fast-paced quiz bowl round. First and second place winners and their teachers are awarded individual cash prizes. Teachers can also prepare students for the competition using curriculum such as Keys to Financial Success and have access to a national question bank. Direct program inquiries to Scott Bacon at bacons@udel.edu.
Personal Finance Case Study Competition (PFCSC)
The PFCSC provides Delaware Academy of Finance Pathway high school students with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of personal finance in an academic challenge setting. Working in groups of three or four, students assume the role of financial planners. They are tasked with researching a hypothetical family financial profile and preparing sound recommendations in the form of a written financial plan. A team of experts from the fields of personal finance and financial planning then evaluates submissions, inviting the highest scoring teams to campus to pitch their plans in person. All teams invited to present qualify for individual cash prizes. Direct program inquiries to Gail Colbert at gcolbert@udel.edu.
Stock Market Game
The Stock Market Game is a national program developed by the SIFMA Foundation and offered in Delaware exclusively by the CEEE. Teams of students invest a hypothetical $100,000 in online portfolios using a live trading simulation that develops research, mathematical, language, critical thinking and collaborative skills. Register at http://www.smgww.org. Direct program inquiries to Marion Jacobs at jacobsm@udel.edu.
Teach Children to Save Day (TCTSD)
Banking professionals serve as visiting instructors to third and fourth grade elementary classes throughout the state to present lessons on spending, saving and money management. TCTSD in Delaware is part of a nationwide financial literacy effort designed to educate young students on the importance of saving as the basis of future financial security. Direct program inquiries to Jennifer Magaw at jmagaw@udel.edu.
Topical Seminars
Using high-interest events and topics, this evening professional development series offers educators a chance to hear from expert speakers who share personal experiences, providing concrete and relevant examples that help bring economic, financial and entrepreneurial content to life in the classroom. Direct program inquiries to Scott Bacon at bacons@udel.edu.
Giving
Gifts, grants and other assistance help the CEEE to provide educational support to teachers and students and improve the future of economic education in and beyond the state of Delaware.
Visit the University of Delaware’s giving page to make a gift in support of the CEEE.
Contact Information
The CEEE is housed in the FinTech Innovation Hub at the University’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus, located across from the UD Field House, just off of Route 896 and north of I-95.
Center for Economic Education & Entrepreneurship
591 Collaboration Way, 4th Floor, Office 425
Newark, DE 19713
302-831-2559