The CEEE has been making a difference in K-12 economic and financial education for more than 50 years.

By outfitting more than 2,000 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.

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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

Watch this video, designed to welcome schools to the Bank At School program and introduce students to the BAS process.

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 Personal Finance and Economic Education Conference. Direct program inquiries to Scott Bacon at bacons@udel.edu.
CEEE Personal Finance and Economic Education Conference
The annual CEEE Personal Finance and Economic Education Conference is designed for all elementary school teachers and for secondary teachers of economics and personal finance. 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 Sarah Johnson at sarhesq@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 Courses for Delaware Teachers
For anyone teaching economics or who would like assistance in understanding economics fundamentals to confidently teach the required Delaware Economics Standards, the CEEE offers three asynchronous semester-long online courses for elementary, middle and secondary school teachers. Courses run twice a year, are free to Delaware teachers, and are based on a highly acclaimed program published by McGraw-Hill. Direct program inquiries to Scott Bacon at bacons@udel.edu.
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.
Econ-O-Ween Fall Mini-Conference
The annual Econ-O-Ween Fall Mini-Conference is designed for teachers of economics or personal finance at all grade levels. The half-day gathering offers three workshops highlighting new content ideas and creative instructional strategies. The CEEE offers this conference free of charge. Direct program inquiries to Sarah Johnson at sarahesq@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. 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 Amy Krzyzanowski at akrzyz@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 inquiries to Sarah Johnson at sarahesq@udel.edu.
Personal Finance Challenge (PFC)
The PFC provides high school and middle school students with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of personal finance by competing with other students from throughout the state. High school 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 high school 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 curricula such as Keys to Financial Success and have access to a national question bank. Middle school students compete only online with prizes awarded to top performing team. Direct program inquiries to Scott Bacon at bacons@udel.edu.
Personal Finance Essay Contest
The Delaware Bankers Association awards two $2,500 scholarships each year to students in grades 10-12 who are enrolled in a Keys to Financial Success course and who submit winning essays that incorporate specific examples related to Keys themes, knowledge, and skills. Essays are judged based on organization, purpose, evidence, elaboration, and conventions. Direct program inquiries to Scott Bacon at bacons@udel.edu.
Professional Learning Opportunities
Using high-interest events and topics, this after-school 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.
Siegfried Youth Leadership Program Economics Summer Camp
High school students and rising college freshmen will experience economics and leadership presentations through a five-day residential program in a college setting. Direct program inquiries to Sarah Johnson at sarahesq@udel.edu.
Stock Market Game
The Stock Market Game is a national program for students in grades four through twelve, 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 www.stockmarketgame.org. Direct program inquiries to Scott Bacon at bacons@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.

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