Econ Illinois:
"A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words" Economics Poster Contest
Rules, Guidelines and Awards
Teachers:
DuPage County Districts 203 and 204 will compete in the NIU regional contest.
- Stimulate interest in the fundamentals of our economic system
- Help your students learn about the economy and have fun doing it
- Give your students an opportunity to creatively demonstrate their understanding of the economy
Students:
Illustrate in poster form one of these six concepts:
- Scarcity
- Opportunity Cost
- Goods and Services (must show both on one poster)
- Specialization
- Producers and Consumers (must show both on one poster)
- Productive Resources
Rules:
In order to be judged, entries must be in compliance with the following rules. Entries will be disqualified if they do not meet these specifications.
Each entry must:
- be original and hand-drawn horizontally on an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of white paper
- be in bright color - not predominately in black and white
- be an illustration of one of the six economic concepts listed above
- display concept title and artwork at least 1/2" from the edge of the paper. Leave outside border blank.
- include the entire economic concept being illustrated in large letters, near the top of the drawing (not the middle, side or bottom of the drawing.) Make sure each word is written clearly, and is correctly spelled. Incorrect spelling will disqualify entries from State awards.
HOT TIPS:
- Judges favor colorful, simple, straightforward drawings with minimal text. (Do not allow the students to explain the concept in text - rather they must draw it.)
- Judges prefer drawings that relate concepts to humans and not animals.
- Avoid dark backgrounds, as they do not display best on the calendar.
- Simple drawings display best on the calendar - that is, drawings that are not "busy".
- Student writing of the concept should be their own writing. Younger students should probably avoid writing additional text if their handwriting is not going to be very clear or legible.
- View the Winners page for past state winners. Remember that state winners shown on the web are not necessarily the best twelve in the state for that year. They were the best twelve for that year, evenly distributed around the state by regional contest and representing all regional contests and all grade levels.
Teachers should:
- submit only one entry per student in grades 1-8 to the regional contest
- submit entries to the Center for Economic Education providing their regional contest. See Eligibility for Participation to identify your regional contest. Entries sent to an incorrect Center cannot be judged by that Center. Contact Econ Illinois if in question.
- include one completed entry form for each teacher submitting entries. Download the regional contest flyer and entry form on the page Eligibility for Participation.
- submit contact information for each student on the reverse of each entry, as specified by the regional contest's host, and as shown on the regional contest flyer.
- adhere to regional contest's entry deadline
Awards:
Regional Competition
- Twelve Regional winners will each receive a certificate of award and a Series I U.S. Savings Bond.
- Second Place and Honorable Mention winners will each receive a certificate of award.
- Teachers of award-winning students will receive recognition.
- The hosting Center for Economic Education may offer an awards reception for winners, parents and teachers, if funding or support is available.
- Winners in each of the Regional competitions will compete for Statewide recognition.
Statewide Competition
- Twelve Statewide winners will each receive a colorful personalized certificate of award, a Series I U.S. Savings Bond and a medal
- Honorable Mention winners will each receive a colorful personalized certificate of award
- Teachers of award-winning students will receive recognition.
- Econ Illinois will provide a press release template which teachers can edit for their local media
- Twelve Statewide winners will be published in a 12-month calendar, if funding is available. Calendars will be sent to all winning students' home addresses; to participating teachers and to their Principals and Superintendents.