Fun, informative and exciting, the Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl (FICB) supports teachers and increases student knowledge of personal finance and economics topics. We “come to you” with a series of regional tournaments across Wisconsin that lead into the annual state championship tournament. Our content is all about finance- there are no questions about other subjects.
Using a quiz show format, FICB challenges high school students and tests their knowledge about personal finance, business, economics and current events in an atmosphere of friendly competition. During the full-day tournaments, students progress through a bracket system until a regional champion is determined. The top two teams from each region then advance to the state championship each Spring.
Students, teachers and school administrators have all expressed enthusiastic support for the Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl because the game-like format makes the subject matter fun and relevant for the students. A samping of the testimonials we’ve recently received includes:
“My students are still talking about the Bowl. They had a great time. Thank you for running this program. I think it’s a great activity to reinforce the topics we teach in our required Personal Financial Literacy class.” (teacher, Green Bay East High School)
“I’ve had students tell me they are super excited about leaving campus for Quiz Bowl and a couple of students came in to join just for Quiz Bowl.” (teacher, Stanley-Boyd High School)
“When I first was introduced to the Challenge Bowl, I was excited to put some of my business knowledge to the test. I had competed in other competitions in other business organizations but I never had to compete in a setting face-to-face with my competition. This structure helped set the tone for the competition as both sides could visibly see their competitive natures coming out. Continuing with the structure of the competition, having the competitions in front of audiences helped me build confidence speaking, thinking, and interacting in front of crowds. At the high school level, it can be difficult to perform at a high-level in front of groups, especially for those who never play competitive sports like myself. Not only can students showcase their business knowledge, but they can further develop the confidence they need to interact with audiences.
In addition, I was able to build closer relationships with the students on my team. My business teacher assigned random groups from my class, so I was on a team with students who I do not regularly speak with. When we were thrown into our first competition, we had to quickly learn to work together despite not having prior well-built relationships. We learned to support each other during the competitions and after each win or loss. Working with unfamiliar teams or people is a phenomenal skill to practice at the high school level before moving onto the next stage of life.
Although I deem myself as a competitive person, I understand reflecting back at the Challenge Bowl competition years later that I was building other foundational skills besides winning or losing a competition. I remember thinking how students in Wisconsin are incredibly talented and smart and I need to continue to work diligently after high school if I ever want to be at the same level as the students I interacted with at the competition.” (student, Menomonee Falls High School)
“All I know is my students always have a blast and so do I watching them so we will come to participate no matter when or where it is being held. I can pretty much guarantee you that both you and your students will find it incredibly fulfilling.” (teacher, Rhinelander High School)
“On behalf of MGHS and our student competitors, we’d like to thank you for once again organizing an awesome event and competitive opportunity for our students. This competition is always a highlight for our students, and once again our seniors expressed regret over their inability to participate again in the future. They had a great time! As a teacher it’s always rewarding to see their shock and excitement when they were able to actively apply the things they learned in finance or economics class to the competition itself.” (teacher, Monona Grove High School).
