MICHIGAN COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC EDUCATION

For over 25 years the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago has hosted the High School Fed Challenge, an academic competition that provides students grades 9-12 the opportunity to study the U.S. economy through the lens of the Federal Reserve, the U.S. central bank. Over time the Challenge has evolved to answer the changing needs of students and teachers, from the sudden pivot to completely virtual in 2020 and the move to hybrid in 2023 to offer all students the opportunity to interact with working economists. Change is again on the horizon for the High School Fed Challenge. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York is now hosting the Challenge at a national level. This new competition has a completely different design. Due to this change in focus at the national level, 2025 will be the last year that the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago will host a separate challenge.

As in 2024, the Chicago program encourages students to learn more about economics and the work of the bank’s Federal Open Market Committee. Enriching on many levels, it challenges participants to think critically about the economy, construct a solid argument, and present their research to Federal Reserve Bank economists. The Chicago Fed’s High School Fed Challenge is designed for teams from schools located in the Seventh District.

The Hybrid High School Fed Challenge will feature teams of five or fewer students representing high schools throughout Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Over Microsoft Teams, each team will give a live 15-minute presentation on the state of the U.S. economy and a policy prescription for the Fed, followed by a 10-minute session to answer judges’ questions on their presentation, the economy, and the Fed. The winners will be featured at a virtual event, and their presentation will be posted on the Chicago Fed’s social media accounts and website.

Please note at year's event: all presentations will be live in front of judges. No pre-recorded presentations will be accepted.

If you are interested in the national High School Fed Challenge please visit :

High School Fed Challenge - FEDERAL RESERVE BANK of NEW YORK (newyorkfed.org)