Shirley Hills Student Recognized in Statewide Economics Poster Contest

A Shirley Hills Primary School student has earned statewide recognition for creative work demonstrating an understanding of economic concepts.

Third grader Clark Montgomery was named one of 13 statewide winners in the Minnesota Council on Economic Education’s annual poster contest. His award-winning poster explored the concept of “Opportunity Cost” and was created under the guidance of teacher Kristi Henkels.

"The poster term Clark decided to create was one in which he didn't know a lot of information and took the opportunity to research the topic deeper," said Henkels. "Clark was very deliberate in knowing about opportunity cost and how to explain it to the audience. He realized that his planning page got too busy instead of focusing on what was most important and led to a well designed poster."

More than 850 students from schools across Minnesota submitted original artwork for the contest, using a single 8.5-by-11-inch sheet of paper to illustrate economic and personal finance concepts. Topics included trade, scarcity, needs versus wants, saving, productive resources and incentives.

Students researched their selected topic and then created original visuals depicting the concept in action. Entries were judged by industry, academic and community leaders who support economic and personal finance education in Minnesota.

The poster contest is organized by the Minnesota Council on Economic Education, a nonprofit housed at the University of Minnesota that promotes economic and financial literacy for students and educators across the state.

Award-winning projects can be viewed on the Minnesota Council on Economic Education Poster Contest page.