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The 2009 and 2010 iconomix awards in brief
In 2009, the SNB expanded its iconomix economic education programme to include a contest, the iconomix award. The contest was designed to encourage students of Swiss upper secondary schools to explore the world of economics in greater detail. In this way, it aimed to improve the basic economic literacy of the population at large.
In 2009 and 2010, some 200 school projects dealing with economics-related topics were entered for the iconomix award, with around 70 of them receiving an award.
In 2011, it was decided that, for cost reasons, the iconomix award would be discontinued. The contest consisted of the following elements:
The contest
Prizes were awarded for school essays/projects on economics-related topics. Both written and non-written submissions (e.g. films, podcasts, games, websites) were accepted.
The categories
In category 1, students had to answer a challenge question from one of the iconomix modules in the form of an essay.
In category 2, students could submit an independent project.
Taking part
Students submitted their essay/project. A few days later, they received feedback on whether their submission fulfilled the requirements with regard to form and content, and had thus been approved.
A short written report (feedback report) by an expert in the field was then sent to the author(s) within four weeks, and the submission was included in the iconomic factsheet series and published on the iconomic award website.
Students whose submissions were particularly good were invited to the iconomix event, where they discussed their work with two economists (jury members).
Event and prizes
The event was held in the Westside leisure and shopping centre in Berne, and was a memorable experience for all the nominees and those accompanying them.
In the first part of the event, the authors discussed their work with the experts on the jury. At the same time, strategy games and iconomix simulations provided an opportunity for students to test their ability to think and act from an economics perspective.
The highlight of the event was the ceremony in the afternoon at which the awards were presented.
http://www.iconomix.ch/en/about/award/pictures/The awards
All award winners received a certificate and prize money from the SNB.
In addition, the SNB presented ‘Best iconomix school’ awards to the schools with the highest number of valid submissions to the contest.
Two teachers give us their impressions of the event
«The whole event was very professionally organised. The presence of some big names was a little awe-inspiring, and caused a few clammy hands and racing hearts, not least for me since I was accompanying the students and representing the school. [...] The experience of taking part in such an event motivates the students to perform well.»
Daniel Bucher, teacher at the Berufs- und Weiterbildungszentrum Uzwil, winner of a ‘Best iconomix school 2009’ award
«I was particularly impressed by the professionalism that could be felt during the whole process and the regular e-mail contact which the SNB maintained with both the students and the teachers. In addition, I liked that the students and their work were taken seriously. My student told me that he really appreciated that.»
Ursula Holliger, teacher at the Scuola d’arti e mestieri Lugano-Trevano, winner of a ‘Best iconomix school 2009’ award