Two eighth-graders place third at price index competition

SPARTA — Two eighth-grade students at the Sussex County Charter School for Technology demonstrated their understanding of global consumer prices by placing third in New Jersey at the PNC Christmas Price Index Research Game.

Christine Miller and Meghan Waltner were the highest ranking middle school students in the state to win the honor, placing third after competitors from high schools.

Math students across the country were challenged to research the prices of items mentioned in the popular holiday song, The 12 Days of Christmas, and compare those prices to what the items cost in the past. The students who researched the correct prices and found accurate year-over-year percentage increases won rewards.

The students and eighth-grade math teacher, Carolyn Sior, received a trophy for their achievement, a tour of the New York Stock Exchange, and $100 gift certificates.

Their math class will also will receive a free pizza party.

"We are so excited that our students had the opportunity to connect math and finance to something they can relate to such as the 12 Days of Christmas," said Jill Eckel, principal of the Sussex County Charter School for Technology. "We are very proud of their achievement and their ability to research financial information online, work collaboratively in teams, and apply their understanding of math concepts successfully.

According to the competition's website, the PNC Christmas Price Index is similar to the Consumer Price Index, which measures changes in prices of goods and services like housing, food, clothing, transportation and more that reflect the spending habits of the average American.