Connecticut

LifeSmarts helps teens to become smart, savvy, responsible consumers and citizens. Coaches be certain to sign up to receive additional information.

LifeSmarts is a powerful and proven national educational opportunity for teenagers in Grades 9 through 12. LifeSmarts complements the curriculum already in place at your high school and/or middle school and can be a flexible extra-curricular activity for your classes.

LifeSmarts focuses on five key areas of consumer knowledge that teens need to know in order to independently negotiate today’s increasingly complex marketplace: Personal Finance, Health & Safety, Environment, Technology & Workforce Preparation and Consumer Rights & Responsibilities. LifeSmarts helps teens to become smart, savvy, responsible consumers and citizens. Teens gain a solid understanding of their consumer rights and responsibilities and workplace protections. They have fun competing while developing teamwork skills, self-esteem, verbal communication, and leadership.

Coaches are invited to register and create teams, and students may register and compete online. Coaches have access to many free lesson plans and other educational resources to help make this a great classroom activity. Click on the Resources tab to view them. New(er) to LifeSmarts? Be sure to download the Coach's Guide.

Students, we hope that you’ll check out the resources you find here, test your knowledge with practice quizzes, use TeamSmarts and LifeSmarts U, and compete online. Contact the LifeSmarts staff with any questions.

To join the state Varsity and JV competitions, please complete the following before the closing date for your specific grade division.
VARSITY DETAILS (Grades 9-12): Varsity Teams are made up of students in grades 9-12. All students are eligible to compete in LifeSmarts Varsity competitions including those in our partner organizations (4-H, BPA, FBLA, FCCLA, 4-H, SkillsUSA, TSA, etc.). The State champion Varsity team earns the opportunity to compete in the National LifeSmarts Championship, April 27-30, 2023.

FBLA and FCCLA Chapters have their own special LifeSmarts competitions but are also eligible to compete in our state varsity level competition. Students are eligible to be on one state varsity team and also on another one of the specific chapter teams. Team coaches should download the specific group instructions from the Coaches Page.

Teams study as much as possible then complete the final online competition quizzes between October 27, 2023- January 20, 2023. Qualifying teams will be invited to complete the online State LifeSmarts Championship Quiz January 27, 2023 – February 8, 2023 to determine the State Varsity Champion.

DATES:
Varsity competition opens October 27, 2022
Varsity closes January 20, 2023.
The online State LifeSmarts Championship Quiz will be 1/27/2023– 2/08/2023

National LifeSmarts Championship: April 27-30, 2023, Cincinnati, Ohio
JV Details and Dates: Junior Varsity Competition is open October 27, 2022 - May 1, 2023. The top-scoring Junior Varsity teams in our state will receive recognition from the National Consumers League. There is not a national level for JV at this time.

DATES:
Junior Varsity competition opens October 27, 2022
Junior Varsity competition closes May 1, 2023
Top scoring teams in our state will be recognized!

Steps for Coaches
Step 1: Coaches should register as a coach ASAP so that we can communicate next steps with you. Competition officially opens the Tuesday after Labor Day each year. Teams can be created after that date.
Step 2: Students register and take the pre-test as soon as possible (20 multiple-choice questions) - required before you can access step 5
Step 3: Coaches create teams and add the students to the appropriate team (Teams are 4-5 students and you must select a team captain)
Step 4: Study, study, study using practice quizzes, the resources section and any other resources you have accessible. Monthly TeamSmarts competitions are also a great option.
Step 5: Opening October 27th: Students must take the five individual topic quizzes (20 multiple-choice questions each topic) - required before you can access step 6.
Step 6: Students must complete the final Capstone quiz (20 multiple-choice questions) prior to the closing date for your specific grade division.

Good luck! Please contact me with any questions! Additional information is also available here: https://lifesmarts.org/coaches/new-coaches/