Texas

Attention!  Dates Updated!

Welcome to LifeSmarts in Texas!
Coaches: Be sure to register to receive additional information!

Welcome to LifeSmarts! Here you’ll learn about consumer issues that impact your everyday life – everything from managing your finances, making smart consumer choices, understanding emerging technology, preparing for the workforce, staying healthy and safe, and helping the environment – all with the goal of putting you in charge and making your future LifeSmart!

Coaches are invited to register (or log back in if you registered in the 2023 – 2024 season) and create new teams or update existing teams. Students may register and compete online. Coaches have access to many free lesson plans and other educational resources to help make LifeSmarts a great classroom activity. Click on the Resources tab to view them.

New(er) to LifeSmarts? Be sure to download our updated 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, etc.). The State champion Varsity team earns the opportunity to compete in the National LifeSmarts Championship in  Chicago, Illinois,  April 24 – 27th, 2025.

4-H, BPA, FBLA, FCCLA, and SkillsUSA Chapters have their own special LifeSmarts competitions but are also eligible to compete in our state Varsity or Junior Varsity level competitions. Students are eligible to be on one state varsity or junior varsity team and also on two other organization teams. Team coaches should download the specific group instructions from the Coaches Page.

Teams should study as much as possible then complete the final online competition quizzes between October 16, 2024-  December 31, 2024.  Qualifying teams will be invited to complete the online State LifeSmarts Championship Quiz during the 2nd week of December to determine the State Varsity Champion.

VARSITY DATES:
Varsity competition opens October 16, 2024
Varsity closes December 31, 2024. Qualifying Teams will be notified with details regarding the state championship on January 6, 2025.
The Virtual State LifeSmarts Championship is January 23, 2025 beginning at Noon CST.
National LifeSmarts Championship: April 24 – 27th in Chicago, Il

JV Details and Dates: Junior Varsity Competition is open October 16, 2024 – March 1, 2025. The top-scoring Junior Varsity team in our state will receive an invitation to compete in the virtual
National LifeSmarts Junior Varsity Championship on May 14-15, 2025.

Junior Varsity competition opens October 16, 2024
Junior Varsity competition closes March 1, 2025
Virtual National LifeSmarts Junior Varsity Championship -May 14-15, 2025

Steps for Coaches
Step 1: Coaches should register as a coach ASAP so that we can communicate next steps with you. Competition officially opens yearly on August 1. Teams can be created or updated after that date.
Step 2: Students register or log back in 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, or update teams to be certain students are on 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 16th: 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.