August 25-26, 2011
Over the past few years, the UAA Economics Department has developed a successful program that offers short workshops in experimental economics. Thanks to a generous grant from IFREE, they were able to extend this popular program to incoming UAA students.
The workshop was open to all new UAA students, regardless of major. The goal of this 2-day workshop was simple: to expose students to basic economic principles in a fun and stimulating environment. No prior economics training is necessary or expected. The workshop is great for students who have never seen economics before, as well as those who are more familiar with the topic.
During the workshop, students participated in different economics games – or experiments – designed to introduce economics concepts. We firmly believe the best way to expose students to economics is not through lectures, but rather to let students experience economics through their own decisions. Previous participants have consistently described the workshop as “awesome and the best way to learn,” and “fun, informative, and worth my time.” In the workshop, “you learn a lot and you get some real life knowledge that is useable.” To motivate economic decision making, participants are paid in cash based on the outcomes of their decisions. Students have described the cash earnings as “amazing motivators” and that the workshop was a “profitable experience.”