Illinois State University announces economics competition to inspire future economists
The Department of Economics at Illinois State University is excited to host an event in mid-April designed to spark interest in economics among high school, community college, and ISU students: ECON Competition. This event offers students an interactive way to explore economics and discover its relevance, all while preparing for future academic and professional pursuits.
Economics Competition: Tackling real-world challenges
The 2025 ECON Competition provides high school, community college, and Illinois State students with the opportunity to engage with real-world challenges and hone their problem-solving skills. Participants will address relevant issues, propose thoughtful solutions, and gain practical experience that offers a glimpse into the work of professional economists.
This year’s competition will focus on two key themes: “Barriers to small business success in Illinois” for high school student teams and “Racial opportunity gap in the U.S.” for college and ISU students. In addition to traditional presentations, students will submit a research-based podcast script (1,500-2,500 words) for evaluation by Illinois State economics faculty. The top teams and individuals will be invited to campus to present their findings, and the top three teams/individuals will be recognized and presented with a monetary award during an awards ceremony.
High school theme:
“Barriers to small business success in Illinois”
College theme:
“Racial opportunity gap in the U.S.”
By emphasizing teamwork, research, and data literacy, the ECON Competition offers students an engaging platform to explore how economic theory and data analysis address real-world challenges while fostering skills that are essential for academic and professional success. The deadline for registering for the ECON Competition is 11:59 p.m. on February 17, 2025, by emailing Grace Steinke (gestei1@IllinoisState.edu). The final submission with the complete entry is March 31, 2025.
Looking ahead: A bright future for economics at Illinois State
These events reflect Illinois State’s commitment to attracting a diverse student body, particularly from underrepresented communities, and empowering them with the tools they need to succeed in economics and beyond. Supported by the Office of the Provost through the Economics Recruitment and Awareness (ERA) PIE grant, the spring ECON Competition offers an invaluable opportunity for students to engage with economics in an interactive and meaningful way. Through academic exploration and real-world applications, the Department of Economics is helping shape the next generation of problem-solvers, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to excel both academically and professionally.
For more information, please visit the 2025 ECON Competition website.
Any questions about the ECON Competition and how to register can be directed to the academic program advisor for the Department of Economics, Grace Steinke (gestei1@IllinoisState.edu).
Important dates:
- ECON Competition registration deadline: February 17, 2025, by 11:59 p.m.
- ECON Competition final submission deadline: March 31, 2025, by 11:59 p.m.
- On-campus presentations and award ceremony: April 2025
