During our visit with our son Carl’s family to Columbus, Ohio, our daughter-in-law, Valerie asked if we would be interested in helping out at “BizTown” where she works. Administered by Junior Achievement, and sponsored by several Columbus area corporations, BizTown has been part of this community since 1950. This highly successful nationwide educational program is geared primarily towards fifth and sixth grade students. It’s mission is to expose these children to the real world of business. Prior to actually experiencing a simulated work day, students go through a several weeks curriculum during which they “...learn to manage their personal and business finances, develop and sell a product, and hold business meetings.” The classroom part of the curriculum is designed to teach the students how their school work applies to the real world. By the time they get to the five-hour simulated work day in BizTown, they should be capable of managing a store, operating a bank, writing checks, and handling finances. Lori and I spent two days interacting with students from a number of Columbus area schools and were fascinated watching the students traverse from uncertainty to confident entrepreneurs. Thank you Valerie and the leadership of BizTown for providing us with this unique experience!
Part of the learning process of the curriculum is how to manage your own personal finances which includes spending “monies” earned in their “jobs” on products the various stores provide.