For the last five years Business and the Internet students at Traverse City West Junior High School in Traverse City, Michigan have convened for a conference on Money Management.  Business and the Internet teacher, Kathy Chase, and Marc McKellar, Director of Business Development for Members Credit Union, teamed up in 2002 with the goal to empower students with financial information for their future. 

This year’s conference wrapped up on  Friday, May 25, 2007. Students were given the chance to ask questions covering any of the topics covered over the duration of the conference.

Ten years ago, TCAPS teacher Kathy Chase designed the Business and Internet class around the idea of giving students access to tools on the Internet such as MyFICO.com and Bankrate.com, that could help them learn about savings, investing and credit card debt. The students enrolled in the class learn to use YahooFinance and excel spreadsheets to research and track stocks. They also learn to use on-line savings and loan calculators found at Quicken.com to calculate interest on savings as well as loans.  Using these loan calculators has helped the students to understand the high cost of credit card debt. The conference takes it a step further and McKellar really makes kids see the importance of being smart with money.  

Please contact Kathy Chase at 933-8241 for further information.