Hot Opportunities

Grants, Awards and Programs - ACT NOW!

GEF Mini Grants – Now Available!

Have an idea, lesson or activity that incorporates a global perspective into your curriculum? GEF Mini Grants can provide you with funding support!

ICEE has a limited number of Global Economics and Finance Mini-Grants available.  In the past, these grants were only available to schools that are part of the former Illinois Global Economics & Finance High Schools (IGEFHS) Program.  As of the 2006-2007 academic year, any Illinois school committed to the integration of economics with a global perspective may apply.  Read more about the Global Economics and Finance Mini-Grants, and apply today!

3M Innovative Economic Educator Award

Working on an innovative econ project with your students this year? Invest a few minutes now to read over the 3M Innovative Economic Educator Award Guidelines and the returns could be out$tanding! Visit the 3M web pages on the ICEE web site to learn more about this incredible award opportunity for K-12 teachers.

3M Innovative Mini Grants

Take steps to secure funding to support your econ unit now! Innovative Economic Educator Mini-Grants are designed to support the development of innovative economic education projects that will be submitted to the award program. Any K-12 educator is eligible and may apply. The 2007-2008 Innovative Economic Educator Mini-Grants requests for proposals will be made available soon, with proposals due in May, 2007.

Economic Education Excellence Award

Nominations are now being accepted! Looking for a way to recognize a teacher who has had a sustained history of commitment and contribution to economic education? ICEE's Economic Education Excellence Award is designed to recognize these individuals. Self-nominations are also accepted. Check the Economic Education Excellence Award web page for complete information.

Economics Challenge - Be our Guest!

Have you always wondered just what is "Illinois Economics Challenge"? Come watch the 2007 student competition in Chicago on April 13. A limited number of "guest" seats are available for teachers who want to see how the program works, network with participating teachers and learn how to get involved for 2008. Guest teachers will be treated to lunch with the participating students and their teacher/advisors. Find out how you can be our guest at the 2007 competition and get your students involved in the 2008 competition by contacting Jodi Long at ICEE for information, at jodilong@niu.edu. Visit the Economics Challenge web page for complete program information.

Economics for Leaders Institute -Coming to Chicago this summer!

Co-sponsored by the University of Illinois at Chicago Center for Economic Education, the Economics for Leaders Institute is a week-long residential program providing professional development for high school economics teachers. The summer 2007 program will take place July 29 - August 3 on the UIC campus. The institute is provided by the Foundation for Teaching Economics and is fully-funded. Participants receive a $150 attendance stipend.

The institute offers intellectually stimulating participant workshops with outstanding university professors and mentor instructors. Graduate credits are available. Programs fill quickly. Visit the FTE Economics for Leaders web pages for complete information.

HSBC Institute on The Environment and the Economy - Coming to St. Charles this summer!

During this four-day residential program, teachers learn how to use economic principles to analyze environmental issues. Outstanding instructors lead intellectually stimulating sessions, and participants take a field trip to an environmentally challenging site. The summer 2007 institute will be held June 18 - 21 at Hotel Baker, St. Charles.

The institute is provided by the Foundation for Teaching Economics and is fully-funded. There is no registration charge for attending and optional graduate credits are available. (Lodging and most food is paid by FTE. Visit The Environment and the Economy web pages for complete information.

In Search of the 2007 Money Smart Kid

Looking for an excellent opportunity for your 5-8th grade students to employ both writing skills and financial literacy skills? The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago kicked off its search for the 2007 Money Smart Kid on February 2. Students in grades 5-8 are encouraged to enter the contest by submitting an essay answering this year's questions. Student essays are due no later than March 30, 2007. One student will be named this year's Money Smart Kid, winning a $5,000 scholarship from HSBC.

To learn more about Money Smart Week and the Money Smart Kid contest, please visit the Money Smart web site of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and download the Money Smart Kid Package.