MOULTRIE, Ga. — A team of four fourth graders and a team of four fifth graders from GEAR recently competed in the Econ Games presented by the Georgia Council on Economic Education (GCEE). The games were held at the UGA Conference Center in Tifton. Fourth and fifth graders from around the state were invited. Fourteen different schools participated.

GEAR’s 5th grade team won 2nd place overall. The winning team was awarded with medals, a trophy, and $15 Visa gift cards.

The games consisted of three rounds. In the first round, students participated in an assembly line activity where they produced ‘Econ Vocabulary’ cards according to a set of instructions and a template. It was up to each team to determine the most efficient way to produce the cards. Round two had the students take a test on the economics standards for their grade level. Finally, in round three, the teams had to come up with an idea for a good or service that could be used to help with the shortage of truck drivers — a very relevant topic in Georgia this year. The teams then presented their ideas to a panel of judges ‘Shark Tank’ style.

Monica Tugwell chaperoned eight students to represent GEAR at the Econ Games. GEAR’s fourth grade team consisted of Charis Barnett, Jack Cato, Jasym McKoy, and Cade Hopper. GEAR’s fifth grade team consisted of Jack Kirksey, Ethan Yingling, Natalie Willis, and Jaden Taylor.