The Econ Games: building a virtual co-curricular conference to create community and connect students

The Econ Games Online Edition (EGOE) was a co-curricular experiential learning program that connected students across institutions from around the world. The program partnered with government and industry to provide real-world data for participants, which students then analyzed and used to create a data story in a short period of time. The goal of EGOE was to connect students with instructors, peers, and industry partners. The program was well-received by participants and is a valuable opportunity for students to develop workforce development skills and increase student engagement across their various courses. The online program was modeled on an in-person event, and we highlight the overlap between the versions as well as challenges and limitations.