Bismarck, ND - The North Dakota Securities Department will sponsor "Mad About Money" theatrical productions in 10 eastern North Dakota schools during the week of October 24-28, 2011. 1,500 students in grades 5-9 will have the opportunity to experience this entertaining and educational production.
The productions are performed by professional actors with The National Theatre for Children from Minneapolis, MN. The financial concepts emphasized during the performances will include wants versus needs, saving and investing, the difference between cash and credit, and the importance of forming a savings habit. In addition to the performances, teachers receive curriculum materials that focus on these concepts for continued classroom discussion and activities.
"We are extremely pleased to have the National Theatre involved in our financial education efforts in North Dakota. Their methods teach money management habits through a fun, interactive experience that students enjoy," said Karen Tyler, Commissioner with the Securities Department. During the past 6 years, the Department has sponsored performances in 50 North Dakota schools, reaching 12,000 students in grades 5-9.
A study was conducted in 2008 of the "Mad About Money" performances with North Dakota schools to measure the impact of financial education in the form of the live play, along with classroom instruction on savings knowledge, attitudes and behavior. The results showed that the live performance increased financial knowledge by more than 13 percent. The success of this unique teaching tool is achieved by holding the student's attention through this entertaining and yet educational approach.
This is the seventh year that the North Dakota Securities Department has sponsored this week-long program in North Dakota schools. Teachers have given "Mad About Money" the highest marks in the ability of live theatre to increase the student's capacity for retaining the message. "By introducing students to financial education at an early age, our young citizens become better equipped to take charge of their financial futures," stated Tyler.
The National Theatre for Children is the largest in-school touring company in America and reaches millions of children nationwide on important and timely issues such as money management.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
10/24 Grafton Central School, Grafton 9:00 a.m.
10/24 Cavalier Public School, Cavalier 2:30 p.m.
10/25 May-Port CG Middle School, Mayville 9:30 a.m.
10/25 Ben Franklin Middle School, Fargo 2:45 p.m.
10/26 Oakes Middle School, Oakes 8:30 a.m.
10/26 Northern Cass Public School, Hunter 2:45 p.m.
10/27 Larimore Jr Sr High School, Larimore 10:15 a.m.
10/27 Tate Tope Tribal Middle School, Ft Totten 1:00 p.m.
10/28 Nathan Twining School, Grand Forks AFB 9:00 a.m.
10/28 Midway Public School, Inkster 2:45 p.m.
"Mad About Money" performances will be scheduled in 10 western North Dakota schools in the fall of 2012. If any schools are interested in scheduling a performance, contact the North Dakota Securities Department, 1-800-297-5124 or 701-328-2910 (Bismarck local).