Wednesday Reader
Voting Ends Today for the MFEC Meme Contest
The Montana Financial Education Coalition (MFEC) has posted the finalists of their financial education-themed meme contest to a MFEC Facebook album.
Nearly 100 middle and high school students across Montana submitted entries for the contest. The entries have been narrowed down to the top 20 finalists and their memes are posted on a MFEC Facebook album.
Students were to create an image meme about financial education. Suggested topics included spending and saving, budgeting, building credit, credit-debt cycle traps, credit scores/reports, investing, buying goods and services, earning income, identity theft, or insurance.
Voting kicked off on January 6, 2021, and ends today, January 20. The top six memes garnering the most “likes” on Facebook will be eligible for a cash award. Judging should be based on originality, importance, and wit/humor.
For reference, you may review the Meme Contest Rules and Instructions.
Anyone may vote for any and all of the entries. The six students whose memes receive the most Facebook "likes" will receive a cash prize. Winners will be announced January 29.
Top 5 Teams from the Fall 2020 Stock Market Game Announced
The Montana Council on Economic Education, a partner program with Montana State University’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics, recently recognized student teams from five Montana schools for their success in a semiannual stock market simulation.
The Stock Market Game, which ran October 12 to December 11, encourages middle and high school students to learn about and experience the workings of the stock market. Students begin with a fictional $100,000, which they must invest as wisely as they can with the goal of having the largest equity at the end of nine weeks.
“The Stock Market Game applies experiential learning using a simulated portfolio against the real stock exchange,” said MCEE executive director Dax Schieffer. “Students conduct research, apply strategy and even consider brand loyalty for their picks. But just like in the real world, the market moves up and down, so they can learn lessons while not risking real money.”
During the competition, students must invest in at least five stocks or mutual funds, which promotes research and diversification. The state’s top five teams receive cash prizes through sponsor Glacier Bancorp’s family of Montana banks. The top team in the simulation came from Westby High School, who ended the nine weeks with a total of $132,077.60 in theoretical equity.
“The most gratifying elements of working with schools through the Stock Market Game are the high level of engagement that we get and teachers sharing their students’ excitement with the competition,” said Schieffer. “The game is about investing wisely, and at MCEE our No. 1 investment is into our students. By ensuring Montana’s youth are exposed to economic and market fundamentals, we help make sure they are given the foundation to be successful in life, career and family.”
The Top 5 Fall 2020 Stock Market Game teams were:
- First Place: Westby High School, advised by Amy Griffin
- Second Place: Polson High School, advised by Sean Elser
- Third Place: Great Falls Central High School, advised by Bill Isbell
- Fourth Place: Fairview High School, advised by Katie Haigh
- Fifth Place: Sunburst High School, advised by Jeffrey Nix
The next Stock Market Game will take place this spring. Please see the details below on how to participate and sign up your students for the Spring 2021 Stock Market Game series.
Stock Market Game Registration for Spring 2021 Is Open
The Montana Council on Economic Education (MCEE) announces the opening of registration for teams for the Spring 2021 Stock Market Game which will run from February 1, 2021, to April 9, 2021.
Glacier Bancorp and their family of Montana Banks will once again sponsor all team fees, ($15/team) for all teams with two (2) or more students enrolled; maximum team size is five (5) students per team.
MCEE allowed for one-person teams with all of the uncertainties this Fall with COVID19; but want to get back to the value in teamwork, communication, strategy and leadership with multiple student teams. MCEE believes this is attainable, even in remote teaching environments, however, if you want to discuss circumstances for one-student teams, please email Dax Schieffer at mcee@montana.edu.
Glacier Bancorp will also provide prize money to the Top 5 winning teams again this semester.
You can learn more and register at www.stockmarketgame.org.
For questions, please contact MCEE Executive Director Dax Schieffer at mcee@montana.edu.
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Access to the 2021 Revised Montana Content Standards
The newly adopted standards for Career and Technical Education, Computer Science, Library Media, Social Studies, and Technology Integration are now posted in spreadsheet form on the K-12 Content Standards & Revision Webpage.
See individual content area pages to access the standards and other helpful information.
Each standard spreadsheet includes K-12 as well as grade level sheets.
Model curriculum guides, professional development, and resources will be added throughout 2021.
Districts should consider their 5-year curriculum review cycle in order to plan for a staggered approach to aligning to new standards. The implementation date for the new standards begins July 1, 2021.
The Prospects Briefing for Business and Marketing Teachers—A Message from the Montana Chamber of Commerce
Greetings Teachers of Business and Marketing,
Never thought I’d be as glad to hang a new calendar on the fridge as I was on New Year’s Day! Let’s pray that our professional and personal lives have transformed by this time next year.
I am touching bases to tell you about an amazing opportunity the Montana Chamber of Commerce has created for high school students…an entrepreneurship contest, The Prospects. We have already received contributions including—$30,000 cash purse, plus scholarships provided by Miles Community College and the Hilleman Scholars Program at Montana State University, internships and mentoring provided by Montana business leaders, and more.
This is truly a remarkable commitment by Montana’s business and higher education communities on behalf of high school students across Big Sky Country.
The Prospects is available to all Montana high school students. Of course, students in your classes will have an advantage because of your career and technical orientation.
Details about The Prospects…
Contest categories:
- Students running existing businesses.
- Students with innovative ideas for new products, services, and community-based projects.
Students can submit as individuals or as teams.
Submission deadline: February 12, 2021.
Submission requirements: A two-minute or less video pitch and a 1000-word or fewer business summary.
Submission portal: Accessed via the Chamber’s The Prospects webpage (scroll to bottom for contest FAQ).
Important contest information from the Chamber… Click here for a 6-minute video by Matt Olson, the Chamber’s point guard for The Prospects.
Click here to find a PDF providing detailed information about The Prospects.
Special invitation: I will be glad to schedule a videoconference, at your convenience, to describe The Prospects and encourage your students to submit (Matthew@MontanaChamber.com).
Examples of previous high school submissions…
The Chamber is expanding the scale and scope of the high school entrepreneurship contest that One Montana began but is no longer pursuing. Therefore, the following examples of students’ video pitches and business summaries may look familiar to some of you. These are not meant to be examples of “perfect” submissions, rather they demonstrate the range of video pitches and written summaries that previously received awards. Submissions to The Prospects that come closest to meeting the Chamber’s judging criteria will stand the best chances of winning (criteria referenced in attached THE PROSPECTS-CONTEST INFORMATION).
Existing businesses:
Ideas for products and services:
With the Chamber’s vision and the generous support of Montana’s business, government, and higher education communities, The Prospects has instantly become Montana’s premier opportunity for high school students to demonstrate and be handsomely rewarded for their entrepreneurial spirit…that spirit you are unleashing in your Business and Marketing classes.
Here’s for a better year ahead…
Thank you.
Matt Olson
Montana Chamber of Commerce
Director of Network Development
Executor of The Prospects
Matthew@MontanaChamber.com
Cell: 406-360-6443
After Successful Launch, Big Sky Biz Sim is Open for Spring Registration
This fall, over 200 teams across 23 schools participated in the newly launched Big Sky Biz Sim by First Interstate Bank. Congratulations to the teachers from Billings Central Catholic High School, Glacier High School and Sidney High School where students were awarded cash prizes.
The Montana Council on Economic Education learned a few things to make the program even more efficient to load into your classroom and hope you register for the spring semester.
Registration is open now until February 1. The first inputs will be due February 10. The full schedule is available here.
The sponsors at First Interstate Bank will be supporting cash prizes for the winning teams again this spring. Another bonus with the support is that team fees will be waived this year to encourage more participation and remove any barriers for schools to introduce these business concepts into the classroom.
Register your teams here.
For questions regarding the Big Sky Biz Sim, please contact Dax Schieffer at mcee@montana.edu.
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Computer Science Professional Development for Montana High School Teachers
Four Computer Sciences courses will be offered during Summer 2021. Generous stipends and travel support will be available.
Register for the Summer 2021 courses at https://tinyurl.com/y9prpkyd.
Mobile CSP
Based on the College Board's emerging Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles curriculum framework for introductory computer science. Students learn programming and computer science principles by building socially useful mobile apps using MIT’s App Inventor.
Details at mobilecsp.org.
Joy and Beauty of Computing (JBC)
Course provides an overview of the world of computing, as well as a gentle introduction to computational thinking using the Python programming language. It examines the computing field and how it impacts the human condition, and introduces exciting ideas and influential
people. Can be taught for dual enrollment.
- Questions? Contact jbraun@mtech.edu
- Location: TBD
- Date: June 2021, exact dates still to be determined
Python Modules for Math and Science
Learn how to integrate modules that emphasize Python programming and computational thinking into high school science and math classes. Modules are fully developed and ready to go. They vary in length and difficulty. Opportunities to develop custom modules for your own classes will be provided and supported.
- Questions? Contact reimer@mso.umt.edu
- Location: TBD
- Date: June 2021, exact dates still to be determined
Game Programming
Game programming using Unity.
- Questions? Contact lloyd@montana.edu
- Location: TBD
- Date: June 2021, exact dates still to be determined
Additional details available on the Montana Teachers—Summer 2021 PD site.
Faculty Affiliates: University of Montana, Salish-Kootenai College, Montana Tech, and Montana State University. Project funded by the Gianforte Family Foundation.
NBEA 2021 Annual Convention—Attend In-Person or Virtually
This year, the National Business Education Association is offering the option to participate in the 2021 Annual Convention either in-person or virtually.
The NBEA 2021 Annual Convention will take place March 30-April 2 in New Orleans, Louisiana, at The Marriott New Orleans. If you cannot or are not yet ready to travel, NBEA is also allowing participation from your home, home office, or classroom through Zoom.
Early-bird registration for the NBEA 2021 Annual Convention runs through March 1. If you are planning to attend on-site in New Orleans, the rooming block at The Marriott New Orleans closes on March 5.
For complete details, including a tentative schedule of events and registration and hotel rates, please visit nbea.org/page/AnnualConventionNewOrleans.
Exclusive Scholarship Opportunity for Your Accounting Students
Applications for the 2021-22 AICPA Foundation High School Scholarship are open until March 1, 2021.
The AICPA Foundation will provide $2,000 to 10 students who intend to continue their accounting studies at an accredited college or university, and who have taken an advanced high school accounting course taught by you as a part of the APBP program. Selected recipients will be awarded this scholarship during June-July of 2021 for the fall 2021 and spring 2022 academic year.
Eligible students must be/have:
- Taken an advanced accounting course taught by an APBP-trained educator.
- The nomination of a registered educator or school counselor at StartHereGoPlaces.com or nomination by a current AICPA member.
- Proof of acceptance into a public or private, not-for- profit (501(c)) two or four-year accredited college or university located in the U.S. states or territories for the full 2021-22 academic year. Selected recipients must provide proof before the award is paid in summer 2021.
- Maintained a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Enrolling as a full-time undergraduate (12 semester hours or equivalent) for the full 2021-22 academic year.
- A registered High School student on the Start Here, Go Places.
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder).
- Some financial need (i.e., not receiving a full or partial scholarship(s) and/or grant(s) that cover and/or exceed student’s educational expenses)
- Note: AICPA staff and their family members are not eligible to receive this scholarship.
Eligible students can apply online here. Applications will be accepted from until March 1, 2021.
Computer Science PD Workshops Offered by AVID in Partnership with CODE.org
Are you looking to grow your computer science teaching skills? Join the Montana-based workshops with other educators from your region. 98% of teachers recommend our engaging professional learning programs to teach computer science. Spaces are limited, so apply today.
K–5 Educators: Computer Science Fundamentals Designed to be fun and engaging, Code.org’s progression of Computer Science Fundamentals courses blend online and “unplugged” non-computer activities to teach students computational thinking, problem solving, programming concepts and digital citizenship
- Dates: February 9 & 16, 2021
- Time: 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- Location: Virtual/Online
Learn More at Code.org.
6–10 Grade Educators: Computer Science Discoveries Mapped to CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards, the course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as problem solving, programming, physical computing, user-centered design, and data, while inspiring students as they build their own websites, apps, animations, games, and physical computing systems.
- Dates: June 21-25, 2021
- Time: 9 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Location: Helena, MT (location TBD)
- Dates: August 9-13, 2021
- Time: 9 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Location: Virtual/Online
Learn More at Code.org.
9–12 Grade Educators: Computer Science Principles This course introduces educators to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. It is rigorous, engaging, and approachable, all while exploring many of the foundational ideas of computing to explain how these concepts are transforming the world in which we live.
- Dates: June 21-25, 2021
- Time: 9 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Location: Helena, MT (location TBD)
- Dates: August 9-13, 2021
- Time: 9 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Location: Virtual/Online
- Learn More at Code.org.
Renewal units will be offered. For questions, please contact Ty Stevenson, AVID/Code.org Product Manager, at tstevenson@avid.org or 206.390.2829.
Fun Facts and Trivia
Quakerfish are found in the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Central Pacific.
The common areas of Quakerfish habitat are the Red Sea to Panama, north to southern Japan and the Hawaiian Islands, and south to the Lord Howe and Austral islands.
Lord Howe Island is located east of the Australian continent and is considered part of the state of New South Wales.
The Austral Islands are the southernmost group of islands of French Polynesia.
The Austral Islands are about 300-450 miles south of Tahiti.
The Austral Islands are estimated to be about 12 million years old, having formed over a volcanic hotspot.
The Austral Islands are an extension of a submerged mountain chain that also includes the Cook Islands.
The Austral Islands are the most remote, and the coldest islands in French Polynesia, especially in winter (July-October) when humpback whales reside and reproduce in the waters around the islands.
Quakerfish are reef-associated, with a depth range from 15 to 150 feet.
Quakerfish mainly inhabit barren and open areas of outer reef slopes.
Quakerfish can reach a maximum length of about 13 inches, with a common length of about 10.4 inches.
Their body color is greyish with darker bars on the sides and a yellowish tinge on head with the caudal fin showing two black stripes.
They have 1-4 dorsal spines, 52-56 dorsal soft rays, one rear spine and 46-55 soft rays at the end.
Quakerfish usually occur in pairs and live on sand in a hole of their own construction.
When threatened, they take refuge into their burrow.
Quakerfish bury their eggs in the sand to protect them from predators.
Quakerfish feed on small fishes and invertebrates.
For questions, please contact:
Eric Swenson, Business Education Specialist - 406.444.7991
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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