Check out our conference line up for the 2026-2027 academic year. Each conference (unless marked otherwise) will be held at the Arkansas State University Reng Student Union and include hands-on workshops for your students. Invite us to your classroom to explain more about these opportunities!
Want to learn more?
We’d love to visit your classroom!
2026 Semester
Financial Design
Art Competition*
Submissions Due October 1, 2026
K – 12
Students will find the term that matches their grade on the competition page and create an artistic interpretation of that term. For example, a senior in high school will create an artistic interpretation of the term “financial wellness”.
*Virtual Competition
Financial Wellness
Quiz Bowl**
September 22, 2026
4th – 6th Grade
Teams are created randomly from all student attendees and “coached” by our college student volunteers. All questions are financial / economics-related.
**This event is limited to the first 160 students, no more than 20 per school.
Handshake
Competition**
October 26 / October 27, 2026
3rd – 4th Grade / 5th – 6th Grade
Students will run through different scenarios to demonstrate their skills, including critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, adaptability, etc.
**This event is limited to 4 students per school, with a cap of 20 per session.
Small Business
Leadership Conference
November 19, 2026
3rd – 6th Grade
Students compete by creating a new or significantly improved product or service, and the workshops include the popular “Junk to Market” and our new “Small Business Fair”.
2027 Semester
Financial Wellness Challenge
January 26, 2027
5th-8th
Students will learn more about financial wellness with workshops like “Build on a Budget” and a “Reality Fair” and test their knowledge with an exam.
Thrown to the Wolves
February 24, 2027
9th-12th
Thrown to the Wolves gives high school students the opportunity to develop innovative ideas, work alongside mentors, and compete for scholarships, prizes, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Arkansas Food Cart Conference
March 16, 2027
3rd – 6th Grade
Students will create a food item and accompanying food cart. Workshops will focus on budgeting and meal-planning.
CRESC Events
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 – Quiz Bowl
Tuesday, February 9, 2027 – Chess Day
Thursday, April 1, 2027 – Battle of the Books
Dr. Philip Tew, PhD / JD 