Kansas

Coaches: Be sure to register to receive more information. Have questions? Contact Charlene for assistance at charlene.nichols@wichita.edu or call 316-978-5183.

2025 Competition Dates
Varsity: Tests open November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
State competition: January 29, 2025 at Wichita State University
National competition: April 24-27, Chicago

Junior Varsity: Tests open November 15, 2024 – January 31, 2025
State competition: TBD (online)
National competition: TBD (online)

Welcome to the Kansas LifeSmarts page! Gain an advantage over your peers when navigating the consumer maze we live in by participating in LifeSmarts. 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.

FBLA and FCCLA Chapters have their own competition dates for their own special competitions at their National Leadership Conferences but everyone is welcome to participate in the Kansas Varsity and Junior Varsity State competitions.

Varsity High school teams can work towards winning a trip to National LifeSmarts at the Kansas State Varsity Competition or may apply for a wild card bid.
Students are eligible to be on a state team and also on another one of the specific chapter teams. Team coaches should download the specific group instructions from the Coaches Page.
Step 1: Teachers should register as a coach ASAP so we can communicate next steps with you. Competition officially opens September 1st. 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: Teachers 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 November 1st: 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 below:

JUNIOR VARSITY DETAILS (Grades 6-8):
Teams should study as much as possible and then complete the final online competition quizzes between November 15, 2024 and January 31, 2025. Top teams will be invited to the state JV championship on a date to be determined. New this year – the Kansas championship team will compete in the online national JV championship!

VARSITY DETAILS (Grades 9-12):
Teams study as much as possible then complete the final online competition quizzes any day between November 1, 2024 and January 15, 2025. Qualifying schools will be invited to select 4-5 of their top players to advance to the next level competition (online) with hopes of advancing to the State Finals will be held at Wichita State University on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. See Varsity dates below:
-Final Varsity Online Competition Quizzes: Final Quizzes Open November 1 to January 15, 2025 (*Required for a team to be considered for next step in state)
-Kansas Varsity State Finals: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Wichita State University- More details will be provided to qualifying teams
-National Finals: April 24-27, Chicago, IL

New(er) to LifeSmarts? Be sure to download the Coach’s Guide from the Coaches tab.
*View 7 tips for a winning LifeSmarts team at: http://lifesmarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/LifeSmarts-7-tips_20-21.pdf
*Join a free online training for new teachers? Check the events tab at www.kcee.wichita.edu to see if there is one scheduled. If not, email kcee@wichita.edu with a request for training.
*A wealth of resources for coaches can be found here https://lifesmarts.org/resources/resources-by-type-top-level/

Thanks to our state sponsors:
Competition Dates
Contact Your Coordinator
  • Charlene Nichols
  • Kansas Council for Economic Education
  • Send Mail     Phone: 316-978-5183