I'm an 8th grade science teacher. For our first day, we get 30 mins to teach whatever lesson we want, specifically something not in our curriculum. I want to teach my students what Bitcoin is.

Title says it! I'm pretty excited for that actually. Does anyone know of a powerpoint of slide deck that has already been created somewhere I could use and/or modify? I'd like it to be not too technical, but serve as a foundation to understanding money better.

Anyone have any resources you think are good?

By the way: I'm asking here using this community as a resource. Of course I Googled Bitcoin lessons, and of course I could make my own. I'd really like to see some of what's already out there!

edit:typo

Edit 2: Wow this blew up! Thanks for all the responses. Some general clarification - I’m not interested in teaching the technicals, yet. Many students have already asked me about Bitcoin and other coins. There are many ways to explain “what” Bitcoin is, and I see many more in the comments! I do not plan on talking anything market related. I just want to answer their question “what is this Bitcoin thing people are talking about?” And hopefully open the door to future lessons on what money is and the history of it.

Also: I teach at a Charter. Long story short - I do what I want!

Edit 3: Some people are saying that because they’re 8th graders it’s not worth teaching them. When students are constantly coming up to you and asking you about BTC and DOGE and SafeShit, I liken that sentiment to teaching them about sex. They are talking about it themselves, so why not treat them as young adults and educate them? Refusing to respond to a student about Bitcoin will likely end up with them buying some scam coin. We teach then stocks as well. Not wanting to teach them what it is because it can be likened to gambling is absurd.

Edit 4: ???? Wow there are some comments from people who obviously have some residual trauma from people who hurt them. Read the damn title. You can always tell who isn’t a teacher - they are always trying to tell teachers how and what to teach (with horrible grammar, I may add ????). Maybe, for the first week of class while we are getting students acclimated to being back in school, we ease into content. Instead, give them lessons on material not covered in a curriculum and try to forge relationships going into a new year. Also if you don’t like Bitcoin, why the fuck are you on r/Bitcoin? Sounds like you need r/buttcoin.

Edit 5: Just found out from members of my grade level team that many of them are wanting to talk finances and whatnot and want to plan together to make our little free lessons a little more cohesive and centered around financial literacy. Because we will be using the first week to go over norms and protocols and all the other stuff, we each now have a total of 2 hours over the week for a free lesson, particularly ones that students have shown interest in (e.g., Bitcoin). This means I am now planning a 4 part lesson about money, starting with bartering, to coins, to paper money, to fiat money, plastic money, and then to internet money. This is going to blend very well with another teacher who is going to give a crash course on what the internet (of information) is. I appreciate the help!