The Federal Reserve System High School Fed Challenge offers the opportunity for students to develop skills in teamwork, research, data literacy, and analytical writing. Student teams author economics research and pursue an opportunity to be published in the Journal of Future Economists.
The High School Fed Challenge is an educational program that aims to encourage students in grades 9 – 12 to learn more about economics and promote interest in economics as a subject for study and the basis for a career. Previous study of economics is not required – only intellectual curiosity and interest in exploring an economic theme.
The High School Fed Challenge designates the annual competition theme. Entering teams may select any topic that explicitly relates to this theme for academic research, which will be submitted for evaluation to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Federal Reserve personnel select submissions to be published in the Journal of Future Economists. In addition to gaining broader exposure to the field of economics, all entering school teams will receive recognition in the Journal of Future Economists.
The High School Fed Challenge academic competition encourages students to work as a team to develop and enhance their skills in critical thinking, creativity, writing, time management, and conducting rigorous research. This experience will prepare students for academic success at the collegiate level and help students build analytical and communications skills for use in their future careers.
Everything you need to know about the program and rules for participation:
To compete, teams of three to eight students write an entry (between 1,500 – 2,500 words) on a topic that explicitly relates to the annual competition’s economic theme, selected by the High School Fed Challenge.
Each eligible high school may register one team and each registered team can submit one entry for the year’s competition.
Each student team must have one to two adult advisors. At least one advisor must be designated by the principal of the competing school and neither advisor may be an employee of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors or any Federal Reserve Bank.
The High School Fed Challenge will select submissions to be published in its Journal of Future Economists based on a holistic evaluation that will include, but may not be limited to:
- Academic quality. Each submission will be evaluated according to the rubric included in the rule book for the academic year.
- Geographic diversity. Selection for publication will consider representation of the various communities within the Federal Reserve Districts.
- Relevance and variety of topics submitted.
“The Federal Reserve's monetary policy mandate is twofold: to promote maximum employment and stable prices. To do that, we continuously monitor the health of the U.S. economy in general, and because of its sizable share of overall activity, the agricultural sector in particular.” – Governor Michelle W. Bowman 1
Food is necessary for human survival and health, but also facilitates social connection and cultural expression. It influences a variety of aspects of our lives and similarly impacts the economy in a multitude of ways. The economics of food spans across agricultural, supply chain, labor, income, and other considerations, driving economic activity at global, national, and community levels.
The Federal Reserve conducts research to better understand the food sector in relation to the U.S. economy. We have provided an online collection of different resources available from the Federal Reserve System and other sources to help students begin to learn more about this year’s theme. We invite High School Fed Challenge teams to submit academically researched podcast scripts on any topic that relates explicitly to this theme.
1 Speech by Governor Bowman on agriculture and community banking - Federal Reserve Board
A team consists of three to eight students who attend the same high school, advised by one to two adult advisors. A team can be formed in a number of ways:
- As part of an extracurricular activity. The team is made up of student volunteers and one to two faculty advisors who work on the Fed Challenge as a club or enrichment program.
- As the result of a class- or school-based competition. The class is divided into teams. Each team researches and writes a submission that is evaluated by the rest of the class or school faculty; one team is selected to represent the school. Alternatively, team selection can be extended to all the classes in a school by choosing either a top submission or a team of the school's most accomplished authors.
- By teacher selection. A teacher assembles a team based on overall performance, an in-class assignment, or expressed interest in the subject of economics.
- By student interest. Three to eight interested students may wish to participate and can request that their school principal designate an advisor for the team. Please ensure that the school principal officially acknowledges the team as the school’s High School Fed Challenge team and that an adult advisor is designated by the principal to manage team activities and communication with the High School Fed Challenge. Teams without official sponsorship from their school may not participate.
The High School Fed Challenge provides an online collection of different resources available to help students research the annual competition theme and select a topic. Students are not restricted to using the resources made available and may use other reputable or scholarly sources for their research. However, the topic selected must relate explicitly to the annual competition theme.
What is the difference between the competition theme and the topic?
The annual competition theme is designated by the High School Fed Challenge. It will always relate to economics and have relevance in the field. Competing teams will write academically about topics that explicitly relate to the same annual theme. However, topics can vary, will tend to be more specific, and will differ across teams.
For example, if the designated theme were “Birthdays,” teams could decide to research and write about a variety of topics such as:
- Surprise! Types and social implications of birthday celebrations in the United States from 1910 – 1950
- Differences in the flavors of birthday cakes bought or made: A case comparison of New York City and Buffalo, NY
- Are you more likely to be named Dion in December in Denville? The relationship between name selection and birthday dates for newborns in New Jersey
- The global distribution of birthdays and impact on population growth rates
Note that the only requirement is that topics relate explicitly to the theme. A topic may be local, state, national, or global in scope. Sources may provide quantitative or qualitative evidence to support the research thesis (argument or perspective on the topic).
- Before registering, please review the High School Fed Challenge Rule Book for everything you need to know about the program and rules for participation.
- All correspondence and communication regarding registration, submission, and participation in the High School Fed Challenge will be done electronically through the New York Fed's website or email. It is the responsibility of faculty advisors and student participants to read and understand the competition rule book for the academic year as posted on the website, check the website for notices and other materials, read all email messages carefully, and be aware of competition rules and deadlines. There will be no exceptions to this policy.
Faculty advisors will be asked to:
- Fill out all information about the team in the online registration system.
- Send a completed principal acknowledgment form via email to the High School Fed Challenge at [email protected] . This endorsement is required for team participation.
Note: Advisors may not be current employees of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors or any Federal Reserve Bank.
Who can participate in High School Fed Challenge?
Participating high schools must be either:
- located in one of the 12 Federal Reserve Districts 2 serving the United States, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or
- located outside of the United States and operating as a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school.
2 Find your Federal Reserve District by identifying the Federal Reserve Bank that serves your high school’s location
How can my school register to compete in High School Fed Challenge?
To register for High School Fed Challenge, a faculty advisor from the school must complete an online registration form, on or before the registration deadline. To complete registration, the advisor must also submit a principal acknowledgement form (signed by the principal), which confirms that the team represents the school and the faculty member is the school’s appointed faculty advisor for its High School Fed Challenge team.
For schools that have been approved for the New York State Education Department's Seal of Civic Readiness + 1 Civics Pathway , the High School Fed Challenge academic competition can be used as a 1-point research project to count towards the Seal of Civic Readiness 6-point requirement.
Does my school need to register? Why can’t we just submit without registering?
Teams must register for the competition before submitting their work for evaluation. We would like to know of your school’s intention to submit so that we can better communicate with faculty advisors if there are any questions along the way. Timely registration will also help us to better manage the evaluation process.
What if my school registers and then the team decides not to compete? Or doesn’t finish its submission?
If registered teams decide not to submit, we would appreciate a notification in writing to [email protected] . However, if registered teams simply do not submit their work on or before the submission deadline, they will not be eligible to compete.
When can my school register to compete? When will the theme be announced?
Registration opens in September and teams must register on or before the registration deadline at 11:59 p.m. The theme for the academic competition is announced when online registration for the competition becomes available.
What are the rules of the High School Fed Challenge?
The High School Fed Challenge rule book is available online. Please ensure you follow the rule book for the academic year in which your team is competing.
How does a team “win” the High School Fed Challenge?
The High School Fed Challenge will not designate only one winning team. Federal Reserve personnel will evaluate and select submissions to be published in the Journal of Future Economists.
When is the deadline for papers to be submitted for the High School Fed Challenge?
To be considered for publication in the Journal of Future Economists, school teams must upload their final paper on or before the published submission deadline at 11:59 p.m. online through the submission form. Papers must be submitted on or before the deadline. Exceptions will not be made for late submissions.
How will the High School Fed Challenge evaluate the submissions?
The selection process for publication in the Journal of Future Economists will be based on a holistic evaluation that will consider academic quality, geographic representation of the various communities within the Federal Reserve Districts, and the relevance and variety of topics submitted. The evaluation committee will be comprised of Federal Reserve personnel. More information on the evaluation process can be found in the rubric listed in the rule book .
How many submissions will be selected for publication in Journal of Future Economists?
The holistic evaluation process will review each submission carefully. We anticipate that the committee will select as many submissions to be published as possible.
How will we be notified if our school team’s work is selected for publication in the Journal of Future Economists?
The faculty advisors for all school teams that submit on or before the submission deadline at 11:59 p.m. through the emailed submission form will receive a selection notification by email, on or before the notification deadline. The notification will indicate whether the paper has been selected for publication.
What if our school team’s submission is not selected for publication in the Journal of Future Economists?
All school teams that submit on or before the submission deadline at 11:59 p.m. through the emailed submission form will be sent individual certificates to recognize their members’ participation. A selection notification will be sent via email on or before the notification deadline, which will indicate whether the paper has been selected for publication.
What if our school team’s work is not selected for publication and I disagree with the evaluation?
Decisions regarding the evaluation and selection for publication will be final. We understand that some teams will be disappointed. There is a subjective element in all types of evaluations. Decisions will not be made lightly, but they will be final. We kindly ask that faculty, students, parents, and Federal Reserve personnel conduct themselves professionally, respectfully, and with integrity during all communications and interactions associated with the High School Fed Challenge.
Who is publishing the Journal of Future Economists? How can I get a copy?
The Journal of Future Economists will be published by the Federal Reserve System. It will be available in digital and print form. We anticipate that it will be made available at no cost and at least one print copy will be provided to each participating school, as well as each individual member of the published teams.
When will the Journal of Future Economists be available? How often is it published?
The Journal will be finalized and available during the summer. It is published annually to recognize the authors of the selected submissions and acknowledge all the teams in High School Fed Challenge each year.
