KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) recently introduced the "How Big is a Billion?" contest, a new educational program that asks teachers to turn the idea of $1 billion into a math assignment for a chance to win a $3,000 grant. H&R Block is awarding a $50 gift card to the first 50 qualified entries.
Now through March 14, teachers are invited to submit real-life examples that illustrate the concept of $1 billion. For example, $1 billion is enough to fill 2,983 bathtubs or purchase $300 of classroom supplies for every public school teacher in the U.S.
"We were inspired by the response from educators to a piece in our Get Your Billion Back campaign, which equates $1 billion to $500 on every seat, in every professional football stadium in America," said Kathy Collins, chief marketing officer at H&R Block. "As a tax preparation company, we understand the importance of numbers and math. We designed the How Big is a Billion contest help teachers and educators prove math can be fun."
To participate, teachers must submit a brief explanation and image of the creative concepts. To access the application, "like" the H&R Block Dollars & Sense Facebook page. Prizes of $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 in classroom grants will be awarded to submissions following grade tiers: grades 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.
Entries will be evaluated on accuracy and creativity. H&R Block has teamed up with WeAreTeachers, an online resource for lesson plans, professional development resources, grants and contests for teachers, to select the finalists and help encourage participation. H&R Block will select the grand prize winners.
The contest is open to teachers and educators and each participant can submit up to eight entries. Participants must be 18 years or older.
H&R Block Dollars & Sense provides educators and students with personal finance curriculum and resources to increase financial literacy among teens. Since 2009, H&R Block Dollars & Sense has awarded teens and educators with more than $4 million in grants and scholarships. For more information, visit hrblockdollarsandsense.org.
About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is the world's largest consumer tax services provider. More than 625 million tax returns have been prepared worldwide by and through H&R Block since 1955. In fiscal 2013, H&R Block had annual revenues of $2.9 billion with 25.4 million tax returns prepared worldwide. Tax return preparation services are provided in company-owned and franchise retail tax offices by over 80,000 professional tax preparers and associates worldwide, and through H&R Block digital products. H&R Block Bank provides affordable banking products and services. For more information, visit the H&R Block Newsroom.
SOURCE H&R Block, Inc.
Amy Konrath, 816-854-3190, amy.konrath@hrblock.com
