Business education teacher Teressa Shimizu uses the annual LifeSmarts competition as a warm-up for her students at Farrington High School.

The competition tests students on their knowledge of personal finance, health and safety, the environment, technology, and consumer rights and responsibilities.

And Shimizu's classes cover a similar broad range of practical skills: computer applications, marketing, and entrepreneurship and travel industry management.

Shimizu said students want to learn more about the topics covered, especially finance issues such as interest rates, car loans and buying stock. Since they keep qualifying for the state finals, they appear to be catching on.

"It's real practical information that they would need to be a savvy consumer," she said. Many of them think they already know a lot about technology but sometimes find they don't know quite as much when they first get started in the LifeSmarts program.

The competition is both statewide and national and starts as a Web-based activity, then ramps up to a game-show style format for the state and national finals.

Shimizu's students have been involved for three years. And in the first year they sent a team to state finals.

"They had a lot of fun," she said, even though they ended up getting beaten by a team from Kaua'i.

She said each student on the team has to do at least three competitive tests, but each can take many practice tests.

On the computer, it's easy to get feedback on the wrong answers and learn from mistakes.

"It's building their confidence," she said, because students already know some of the skills from the first time they sit down to the computer.

The competition, sponsored in Hawai'i by the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, is open to teens in grades 9 to 12. Teams may sign up and compete online from Sept. 15 to Dec. 7.

At the end of the online competition, the top scoring teams will be invited to the state competition in Honolulu on Feb. 7, scheduled at Farrington High School cafeteria.

The winning team is eligible to represent Hawai'i at the National Competition in St. Louis April 25-28.

"Teens learn critical life skills in a competitive way that will build teamwork, self-esteem, verbal communications skills and leadership ability," said state LifeSmarts coordinator Jackie Choy. "This program will help teens learn how to be smart consumers and how to be responsible with their money in a fun way."

Coaches may enter more than one team, but only one team from each school or organization can qualify for the state competition. All teams must have an adult sponsor or coach to participate. Registration is done online at www.lifesmarts.org.

LifeSmarts is run by the National Consumers League. Local partners include the Better Business Bureau of Hawai'i, the Hawai'i Credit Union League and the state Department of Education. To learn more about the program call LifeSmarts state coordinator Jackie Choy at 586-2760.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.