Demystifying Cryptocurrency: A Beginner’s Workshop for Educators
2026-02-21 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Date and Time: February 21, 2026,9 AM – 11:AM – Virtual
Are you curious about cryptocurrency but unsure where to start? Join us for an engaging, hands-on workshop designed specifically for educators!
Demystifying Cryptocurrency: A Beginner’s Workshop for Educators
We’ll break down the basics of cryptocurrency, from understanding blockchain technology to exploring how digital currencies like Bitcoin work. Whether you’re looking to integrate crypto concepts into your curriculum or simply want to stay informed about this rapidly evolving topic, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge you need.
Key topics covered: What is Cryptocurrency? An introduction to digital currencies and their purpose • Blockchain 101: The technology that verifies and records crypto transactions • How to buy and store crypto • Teachable Moments for educators (viability of crypto as an asset class option for investors, crypto fraud, other topics) Discussing the future of digital currencies and their impact on society.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a solid foundation in cryptocurrency and be ready to explore how this cutting-edge technology is shaping the future. Don’t miss out—empower yourself with knowledge for the digital age!
This session is eligible for two professional development points. To fully engage, audio and video are required. Participants will also receive a classroom-ready worksheet that can be used directly with students.

Teaching Financial Literacy Across the Curriculum
2026-02-25 19:00 - 20:00
Are you curious how you can encourage students to learn personal finance at the same time they are engaged with the core curriculum of Math, ILA, Science, and Social Studies?
Join us to learn how interdisciplinary instruction can benefit your students and make learning more interesting! During this session participants will be provided with examples of how teaching the core curriculum subjects can also mean that you are teaching students personal finance.
We will introduce you to revised updated learning experiences from MCEE’s vast catalog of literature and non-fiction based teaching materials as well as how mathematics can be a vehicle to teaching personal finance concepts with hands on activities like the Stock Market Game. Come and discuss these resources and teaching strategies with your colleagues!
This session is eligible for one professional development point. To fully engage, audio and video are required. Participants will also receive a classroom-ready worksheet that can be used directly with students.

CEE: Socratic Seminars in Economics: A Moral Science Approach
2026-02-26 19:00 - 20:00
Teachers will be able to:

Develop a framework for planning & facilitating Socratic Seminars
Explore a self-evaluation rubric for students that can be used for grading
Equip strategies for civil, evidence-based dialogue
Explore strategies to tame the overly-talkative & encourage the introverted

POSTER DEADLINE
2026-03-02

CEE: Crossroads: Where Economics, History, and Music Meet
2026-03-09 18:00 - 19:00
Teachers will be able to:

Explain key features of TeachRock and the Crossroads series of lesson plans
Apply primary resources to a variety of economics and history topics
Analyze the role economic decision-making plays in a variety of historical events

CEE: NPFC Case Study Masterclass — “Personal Finance Decisions that Win"
2026-03-11 15:00 - 16:00
Your students won the State Championship, now they are preparing to face the top personal finance teams from across the country. This 60-minute NPFC Case Study Masterclass is designed to help teachers prepare their students to compete successfully on the national stage of the National Personal Finance Challenge. The session will walk educators through a sample NPFC case study, unpack the official presentation rubric, and highlight the key strategies that high-performing teams use to stand out during national competition rounds. Participants will learn how to coach students to develop data-driven financial recommendations, organize clear and persuasive presentations, and avoid common pitfalls that can limit advancement. The webinar will also focus on how teams can position themselves to qualify for the Round of 16 Quizbowl competition, connecting strong case study performance to overall tournament success. Dr. Chris Cannon, Associate Director and Chief Program Officer at the Georgia Council on Economic Education, will share best practices, scoring insights, and practical preparation tips drawn directly from national competition experience. Teachers will leave with concrete tools and strategies they can immediately apply with their teams as they prepare for the National Personal Finance Challenge.
Teachers will be able to:

Coach students to analyze NPFC case studies effectively, using data and financial reasoning to develop clear, concise recommendations aligned to competition expectations.
Apply the official NPFC Case Study Presentation Rubric to guide student preparation, evaluate practice presentations, and strengthen scoring potential at the national level.
Prepare state champion teams to compete nationally, using proven strategies to refine structure, delivery, and teamwork in order to advance to the Round of 16 Quizbowl competition.

CEE: NPFC Quizbowl — Round of 16 to the Finale
2026-03-12 15:00 - 16:00
Your students advanced past the Case Study Round and are now among the top 16 personal finance teams in the nation. The stakes are higher, the pace is faster, and preparation matters more than ever. This 60-minute NPFC Quizbowl webinar is designed to help teachers prepare their students for success in the Round of 16 through the Quizbowl Finale of the National Personal Finance Challenge. The session provides a clear overview of the Quizbowl structure, official rules, scoring procedures, and advancement process used at the national competition. Participants will review common NPFC Quizbowl question types, pacing strategies, and sample content students will encounter during live rounds. Educators will gain insight into what appears on screen, how questions are delivered, and how teams can respond accurately and efficiently under timed conditions. Dr. Chris Cannon, Associate Director and Chief Program Officer at the Georgia Council on Economic Education, will lead the session, sharing best practices, coaching strategies, and preparation tips drawn directly from national competition experience. Teachers will leave with practical tools and structured practice routines to help their teams sharpen content mastery, improve teamwork, and compete confidently as they advance toward the Quizbowl Finale.

Teachers will be able to:

Prepare students for the NPFC Quizbowl Round of 16, including understanding official rules, timing, scoring, and advancement procedures at the national level.
Identify common NPFC Quizbowl question types, including rapid-response and multi-part questions, and coach students on effective strategies for accuracy and speed.
Design focused practice routines that strengthen content mastery, teamwork, and confidence as teams advance from the Round of 16 to the Quizbowl Finale.

Helping the Savvy Teacher: How Media Literacy & Using AI Can Make You a Civics/Economics Giant
2026-03-14 09:00 - 12:00
presented by MCEE & MDCSS & MCCHE
Helping the Savvy Teacher: How Media Literacy & Using AI Can Make You a Civics/Economics Giant
Saturday, March 14, 2026
9:00 AM – Noon
Governor Thomas Johnson Middle School
1799 Schifferstadt Blvd
Frederick, MD 21701

FREE Materials From Partner Organizations

Networking Opportunities

PD Points Toward Certification

CEE: NEC Case Study Masterclass — “From Prompt to Podium”
2026-03-16 15:00 - 16:00
This webinar provides a clear, behind-the-scenes look at the National Economics Challenge Critical Thinking (Case Study) Round. Participants will explore the round’s format, structure, and scoring rubric, and examine what judges look for in high-quality student presentations. The session will highlight best practices for coaching teams, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical strategies to strengthen student analysis and presentation skills. Presented by Dr. Nicholas Moellman, one of the content writers for the National Economics Challenge, this session offers direct insight into the design and intent of the competition. Teachers and coaches will leave with a clearer understanding of the process and actionable guidance to help their teams compete confidently and maximize their chances of success at the national level.
Teachers will be able to:

Identify best practices and coaching strategies to help student teams develop strong, competitive case study presentations.
Learn about the two competition divisions: the David Ricardo Division, designed for students enrolled in introductory economics courses, and the prestigious Adam Smith Division, intended for students taking AP, IB, or college-level economics courses.

Spring INVESTWRITE DEADLINE
2026-03-18

CEE: Economics for Everyone: Concepts over Calculations from the University of Chicago
2026-03-18 18:00 - 19:00
The University of Chicago’s Economics for Everyone (E4E) initiative emphasizes understanding key economic concepts over cost curves and calculations. Central to our approach is the concept of optimization and marginal thinking. These foundational principles provide deeper insights into human behavior in everyday economic activities. Participants will also explore our library of additional resources available on the UChicago E4E Educator Hub. Our resources provide thoughtful and challenging support for all levels of economics. Our lesson plans and videos span a wide range of topics from introductory principles to behavioral economics and beyond. Participants will leave with: 1. An economic lens to help students interpret economic actions of individuals, businesses and governments. 2. New ideas on economic topics to explore with your students beyond consumers, producers and markets. 3. Information on how economists use research to improve outcomes for schools, charities and other organizations.

Teachers will be able to:

Introduce the Economics for Everyone approach and review our available resources.
Introduce the fundamental role Optimization plays in influencing individual choices due to scarce resources.
Discuss the process of thinking on the margin and how its driven by individuals’ efforts to optimize.

Beyond the Bell – Advanced Stock Market Game Training: Teaching Long-Term Investing Strategies
2026-03-18 19:00 - 20:00
Virtual Event for Stock Market Game Teachers
March 18, 2026 7:00 PM
Join the Maryland Council on Economic Education for a one-hour advanced professional development webinar designed for educators who already use the Stock Market Game and want to deepen student understanding of long-term investing.
This session will focus on strategies for teaching students how to think beyond short-term trading and explore long-term investment approaches using the Stock Market Game platform. Participants will examine instructional techniques that reinforce core concepts such as portfolio diversification, risk and return, compounding, and the importance of time horizons in building wealth.
The webinar will be led by Dr. Allen Cox, MCEE Education Consultant, who will share classroom-tested strategies, practical examples, and tips for aligning long-term investing lessons with financial literacy and economics standards.
Ideal for: Middle and high school educators with prior experience using the Stock Market Game
Takeaways: Instructional strategies, lesson ideas, and practical tools to help students develop long-term investment thinking
This session is eligible for one professional development point. To fully engage, audio and video are required. Participants will also receive a classroom-ready worksheet that can be used directly with students.

Personal Finance & EconChallenge Spring Testing
2026-03-19 - 2026-03-23

CEE: NEC Quizbowl & Finale — “Speed, Precision, Strategy”
2026-03-19 15:00 - 16:00
This interactive webinar provides a comprehensive overview of the National Economics Challenge Quizbowl. Participants will explore the quizbowl format, question types, pacing, and scoring procedures used at the national level. The session will model live quizbowl rounds, review high-frequency economics content, and demonstrate time strategies that help students respond with speed and precision. Presented by Dr. Nicholas Moellman, one of the content writers for the National Economics Challenge, this session offers direct insight into how the quizbowl is designed and executed. Teachers and coaches will leave with practical tools to structure effective practice sessions, build student confidence under pressure, and simulate live-stage competition conditions. A short demo round—using Nearpod or a similar interactive platform—will allow participants to experience the quizbowl process in real time.

Teachers will be able to:

Teachers will be able to explain the structure, pacing, and rules of the National Economics Challenge Quizbowl.
Teachers will be able to implement effective practice strategies, including timer drills and content review techniques, to prepare student teams for live competition.

CEE: Teach a Kid to Save: A Fun, Hands-on Approach for Building Smart Money Habits
2026-03-23 17:00 - 18:00
Elementary-age kids need to develop money habits, and to develop habits they need practice. Most of the time we don’t give it to them. This webinar will show you how to do it. Includes free downloadable templates for starting out a classroom or home economy. Dr. Day has run his home economy with his own children for several years, showed teachers how to make a classroom version, and written a whole book about it. Now he wants to share it all with you.

Teachers will be able to:

Use best practices in creating real-world learning experiences about money
Create a mini-economy that builds student money habits
Avoid common mistakes in creating mini-economies

Introduction to the Stock Market Game
2026-03-25 19:00 - 20:00
Virtual Event for Teachers Grades 4th-12th
Interested in introducing the Stock Market Game™ to your 4th–12th grade students? This workshop provides guidance on both how to play the game and how to seamlessly incorporate it into your classroom curriculum.

CEE: Gifting Sense: Lifelong Financial Literacy Begins With Simple Consumer Decisions
2026-03-28 09:00 - 11:00
In this webinar, you will experience firsthand how and why thinking before buying is an easy-to-teach, powerful, and sticky life skill that can be introduced in a single classroom session. You’ll see precisely how to guide students through the habits of pausing, gathering information, and reflecting—before spending their money or anyone else’s. Why attend? Because early success with thinking before buying primes students to seek out the more sophisticated financial knowledge they’ll need later in life, when it becomes relevant and valuable. This is how mindful spending builds lasting financial literacy. Once students realize they can gather and use even a little financial know-how to shape their future, they naturally want more!

Teachers will be able to:

Teach mindful consumer decision-making using an award-winning, permissionless mindful spending tool, the DIMS – DOES IT MAKE SENSE?® SCORE Calculator.
Connect interactive classroom activities to the CEE National Standards for Personal Finance.
Support SEL and financial literacy simultaneously.

CEE: Financially Lit(erate) Money Moves, Voices Rise: Student-Led Financial Learning Through Hip Hop
2026-03-28 13:45 - 15:45
Money Moves, Voices Rise is a 2-hour interactive webinar designed to help educators bring real-world financial learning to life through Hip Hop, creativity, and student voice. Grounded in Pockets Change’s culturally responsive, community-centered approach, this session explores how financial education can be both practical and human—supporting young people as they navigate money decisions in a rapidly changing world. Educators will learn how Hip Hop pedagogy and creative arts projects can spark learner-led inquiry around budgeting, saving, earning, and future pathways. Using adaptable K–12 project templates and examples inspired by Hip Hop FinFest, participants will see how students can use storytelling, reflection, and creative expression to make sense of money, share their lived experiences, and imagine collective financial futures. The session also centers the role of care in financial learning. Educators will explore strategies for facilitating honest, restorative conversations about money that support confidence, mental well-being, and community connection—for students and for themselves. Participants will leave with ready-to-use curriculum, facilitation tools, and practical strategies for elevating student voice while building essential financial skills.

Teachers will be able to:

Explore how student voice, culture, and creative expression shape the way young people understand money, and practice Hip Hop–inspired strategies that spark honest, learner-led conversations about real-world financial decisions.
Discover student-centered program models—including creative projects, classroom conversations, and events inspired by Hip Hop FinFest—that elevate storytelling, community connection, and collective care in financial learning.
Gain access to ready-to-use classroom activities that engage students in budgeting with their values, exploring future pathways, and using art and reflection to express their experiences and feelings about money.

Poster Contest Reception in Annapolis
2026-04-08 17:30 - 19:00
Reception for this year’s winning poster students and their families.

Managing Money in the Age of Social Media
2026-04-09 19:00 - 20:00
Managing Money in the Age of Social Media
April 9, 2025
7:00 PM
There’s no denying that money management looks different than it did decades ago – or even just a few years ago. New products and technology enhancements continue to impact how we think about this foundational aspect of adult life. Join the FINRA Foundation for a discussion on the challenges facing young people in this environment, strategies for supporting young adults on their money management and investing journeys, and tips for spotting and avoiding fraud.

Stock Market Game --Yearlong Game & Spring Game Ends
2026-04-10

POETRY DEADLINE
2026-04-10
by 5:00 pm

CEE: The Hidden Costs of Tariffs: What They Mean for Your Wallet
2026-04-10 17:00 - 18:00
Tariffs often function like an invisible tax on consumers. This session explores how tariffs reduce purchasing power by raising the cost of essential goods and discouraging discretionary spending. In early 2026, economists have observed that broad, universal tariffs tend to affect consumers in two key ways: they take more money out of individuals’ pockets for necessities and make people less likely to spend on nonessential items.
Participants will examine how changes in spending ability impact individuals and families—and why these effects are not felt equally. The session will cover what tariffs are, the three main types of tariffs, and their real-world impact on households. Classroom-ready examples, a student worksheet, and guided discussion questions will be provided to support deeper, more global thinking about trade and consumer behavior.

Teachers will be able to:

Help students understand how tariffs shape prices, trade, and consumer spending

Explore why the economic impact of tariffs varies across families and communities

CEE: Social Media Financial Advice: The Good, The Bad, The Bizarre
2026-04-13 18:00 - 19:00
This webinar helps teachers address the growing influence of financial advice on social media. Participants will explore what makes advice helpful or unhelpful, with an emphasis on empathy, credibility, and student decision-making. Teachers will then be introduced to a reusable, editable evaluation tool designed to help students analyze financial advice using clear criteria rather than opinions alone. Using real social media posts, participants will apply the tool and discuss how it can be adapted across grade levels, platforms, and personal finance topics. The session is highly practical and focused on immediate classroom use, with examples and strategies teachers can implement right away.

Teachers will be able:

Identify characteristics of helpful and less helpful advice in general
Apply those characteristics to social media financial advice
Evaluate social media advice with an easy to use tool

State Economics Challenge Case Analysis
2026-04-14 15:30 - 19:00
Top 3 winning teams in each division are invited to participate in the final rounds of the MD Econ Challenge
April 14, 2026
virtual

State Personal Finance Challenge Case Analysis
2026-04-16 08:00 - 15:00
Top eight winning teams are invited to participate in the final rounds of the MD Personal Finance Challenge
April 16, 2026
8:00 AM- 3:00 PM
Federal Reserve Bank – Baltimore
502 S Sharp Street, Baltimore

Beyond the Bet: The Economics of Gambling
2026-04-16 19:00 - 20:00
Presented by Matt Pierson, Associate Director, Nebraska Council on Economic Education in Partnership with the Maryland Council on Economic Education
April 16, 2026
7:00 PM
In this session we will demo and learn about three brand new lessons hosted by the St. Louis Fed on the economics of gambling. These lessons all focus on active learning and help students not only understand the economic concepts of gambling but also the warning signs of problem gambling. Students will learn how to identify problem gambling, learn to understand the risks associated with gambling, and also learn about the world of sports betting and the incentives at play in that arena. Teachers will leave with three ready to use lessons they can try in their classrooms the next day!

CEE: Power Up Your Economics & Personal Finance Instruction with Design Thinking!
2026-04-21 19:00 - 20:00
Design thinking skills are creative, innovative problem-solving skills for the classroom, the workplace, and real life—and they’re exactly the kind of skills employers are seeking in new hires for today’s Innovation & Gig Economy. Even better, these entrepreneurial mindset process skills double as highly effective instructional strategies for teaching economics and personal finance concepts and reasoning skills while simultaneously developing workplace readiness. Join us for a fun, interactive webinar where we’ll break down the 5-step design thinking process by watching videos of teachers implementing design thinking in their classrooms, then unpack multiple design thinking examples geared toward middle and high school students. Teachers will brainstorm additional economics and personal finance problems that students care about—problems that design thinking helps solve—and identify where design thinking can be seamlessly integrated into their curricula to boost engagement and retention. Practical instructional strategies and free, classroom-ready resources will be shared to help successfully bring this next-level pedagogy to economics and personal finance classrooms. Real-world assessment strategies, including simple yet highly motivating Design Challenge friendly competitions, are included. Participants will also learn about the Online Entrepreneurship Institute for teachers and the aligned U.S. Entrepreneurship Certification Examination for high school students.

Teachers will be able to:

Explain how the 5-step design thinking process functions as an effective instructional strategy for teaching economics and personal finance while developing students’ innovative, problem-solving, and workplace readiness skills for the Innovation & Gig Economy.
Identify opportunities to integrate design thinking into existing economics and personal finance curricula, including the use of simple Design Challenges as engaging, real-world assessment tools.

MCEE Annual Awards - Towson University
2026-05-13 11:00 - 14:00

National Econ Challenge
2026-05-28 - 2026-05-29
location TBD
