Faculty of Education Education News Spring / Summer 2012 Page 15
For the first time ever , the Business Education Students ’ Society and the Saskatchewan Business Teachers ’ Association forged a new relationship to create an innovative business experience for Saskatchewan high school students in the form of a high school business case competition , held March 1 - 2 , 2012 in Melfort , Saskatchewan .
In this intense and energetic event , eight high school teams from the across the province were given the opportunity to showcase their business skills through a business case analysis . Student ’ s were provided with first-hand expertise and knowledge , provided by two prominent guest speakers : Bruce Anderson , a strategy and policy instructor with the Faculty of Business Administration at the University of Regina , and financial literacy pro , Julie Tsui , with the Certified General Accountants of Saskatchewan .
After a “ prep ” session on how to deconstruct a business case , led by experienced JDC West competitor Joel Graham , the students were expected to create a business solution in a “ pressurecooker ” situation , given only 3 hours to deconstruct a case and create a PowerPoint presentation of their business case analysis .
Students then presented their case to expert industry judges , in which they were timed , evaluated , and questioned on their proposed solution , based on real-life business solution criteria . The 2012 University of Regina JDC West coach , Bruce Anderson , stated that the skills and abilities exhibited by the students were “ very impressive .” After an initial elimination round , three teams made it to the final : Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate , Campbell Collegiate Alpha , and Campbell Collegiate Beta . In the end , Regina ’ s Campbell Collegiate Alpha was the winner , taking home the title “ Business High School of the Year .”
Next year ’ s event , to be held in Regina , is currently in the initial
First Annual High School
Business Case Competition
Submitted by Saskatchewan Business Teachers ’ Association and the Business Education Students ’ Society
( L-R ) Business Education Students Danielle Gomersall , Kristen Blackwell , and Austen Anderson
From day one , I have been amazed at the creativity , organization , and commitment demonstrated by this group of education students . Their energy and enthusiasm quickly spread to the high school students that participated in this terrific event in Melfort .
Dr . Cyril Kesten Professor of Education stages of planning . In 2013 , the following changes will be incorporated into the Case Competition : 15 schools from around the province will be invited to compete , an additional case in the subject of personal finance will be added to the competition , and further integration with the business community will be achieved .
While students competed in the Case Competition , accompnaying Business Education teachers had the opportunity to take part in social and professional development events at the Saskatchewan Business Teachers Association Spring Conference , held concurrently with the Case Competition .