HONOLULU — The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs are seeking applicants to enter its 2012-13 LifeSmarts Consumer Education Competition in Hawai‘i, according to a news release. LifeSmarts, the Ultimate Consumer Challenge Varsity Program, is a national consumer education
HONOLULU — The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs are seeking applicants to enter its 2012-13 LifeSmarts Consumer Education Competition in Hawai‘i, according to a news release.
LifeSmarts, the Ultimate Consumer Challenge Varsity Program, is a national consumer education competition open to teens in grades 9 through 12.
The competition tests students on their knowledge of personal finance, health and safety; the environment; technology; and consumer rights and responsibilities.
Varsity teams may sign up and compete online from Sept. 10 to Dec. 7. At the end of the online competition, scores are tabulated and the top scoring teams will be invited to compete at the state championship on Feb. 9 in Honolulu. The winning team will represent Hawai‘i at the national competition, which will take place from April 20 to 23 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The competition hopes to inspire teenagers learn critical life skills through competition that builds teamwork, self-esteem, verbal communications skills and leadership ability and helps them become smart consumers who are responsible with their money, the release states.
Coaches gain access to educational resources through online curriculum, pre and post tests for students and links to local and national organizations.
The program meets national educational standards and can be used as a learning activity for classes, groups, clubs and community organizations. Interested coaches may log onto www.hawaii.gov/dcca for additional information about the Hawai‘i competition.
All teams must have an adult sponsor or coach to participate. A team competing online may have any number of students, but a team that competes in-person is made up of four or five students.
Registration is free at www.lifesmarts.org. Those interested in forming a team should call 274-3141, then 62760#.
Junior Varsity teams may sign up and participate in an online-only competition designed especially for middle school students in grades 6 to 8 from Sept. 10 to Feb. 22. Winners of the JV competition will be recognized online.
