We are wanting to put something together to get involved with education in the schools. We are looking for an idea other than the normal going in collecting deposits. Does anyone have any creative ideas they would like to share?

Basic finance/credit/budgeting seminars in low to middle income tract high schools. Put a real life spin on it for them

Basic money concept, what money is, funny animated history of money (barter my goat for your cheese vs paying cash for cheese in store today), different types of money and such in elementary schools.

Working with middle schools to present the systems of money and money transfer, banking history (civics classes).

The importance of an accurate checkbook register, and how to reconcile to a bank statement. As young as you can start teaching them!

The ABA had some videos for teaching money matters in school. Not sure if they still have them, but it's worth a try.

Junior Achievement has good programs on economics for different school grades beginning with first or second grade.

The FRB Web Site also has a kids page at: http://www.federalreserve.gov/kids/#created

We have used the booklet furnished by the Federal Reserve titled "Building Wealth, A Beginner'S Guide To Securing Your Financial Future" to aid in teaching at our local high school. It includes work pages and good information. It can be found on the Federal Reserve web site. There are alot of great resources available free of charge on the site.

I suggest whatever you choose to do, keep it fun and interesting. Show in a practical way how money and the money systems play into everything they do. This will require plenty of creativity and additional work on your part.

By simply showing a fed made video, or having the complete a worksheet, or completing a checkbook register like they do in accounting, or receiving another talk/lecture...may work against you. So many of the financial problems our country faces today is due to fear of money, the money system, and banks (look at all of the pending mortgage failures, many sold to the buyer by a broker, and not through their bank). A bland or stuanch lecture or material will only reinforce that.