The 6th grade students at Bloomingdale Middle School recently embarked on an exciting and educational journey to JA BizTown, putting their months of preparation into action. This immersive experience allowed students to step into the shoes of adults, managing jobs, bank accounts, and personal finances in a simulated town environment.
A Day of Real-World Learning
The students took on various roles within BizTown, from CEOs and CFOs to medical professionals and public safety officers. Each position came with its unique challenges and learning opportunities. As Aria S., who served as the CEO of the hospital, shared, “My favorite part was making sure everyone was doing their job correctly.” This hands-on experience even inspired her future aspirations: “I want to work at a hospital now because of my job in BizTown.”
Many students found themselves grappling with financial responsibilities for the first time. Dylan C., who worked as the CFO at City Hall, noted that his favorite part was “sending people bills/taxes,” while also learning “how to pay taxes.” This real-world application of financial concepts was a key takeaway for many participants.
Challenges and Triumphs
The day wasn’t without its challenges. Several students mentioned the difficulty of managing multiple tasks and keeping track of finances. Aaron, who served as CFO at Bissell, found it challenging “having to do two jobs,” while Alexander, the CFO at Gordon Food Service, struggled with “keeping up with all of the bills and loans.”
However, these challenges led to valuable learning experiences. Ms. Lam, a teacher, observed a particularly inspiring moment: “I was volunteering in Bissell and had 3 6th grade boys working so hard to pay off their loan. When they did, they started cheering. It was awesome.”
Developing Essential Skills
The educators involved in the program noted significant skill development among the students. Mr. Jacus highlighted the improvement in “self-regulating tasks & collaboration,” while Ms. Mete observed students effectively communicating in leadership roles and managing money from their paychecks.
Perla, who worked as the CFO at Meijer, learned that “we can pay online if we didn’t want to go to the bank, so we could pay our loan/rent online.” This kind of practical knowledge about modern financial transactions is invaluable for young learners.
The Value of Experiential Learning
The impact of this hands-on experience was evident in the students’ reflections. Jacob H., who worked as a medical coder at the hospital, enthusiastically stated, “Everything was fun and I want to go back.” Wendy, who played the role of a college professor, described BizTown as “the ultimate play-place.”
Ms. Mete summed up the experience beautifully, quoting from the JA BizTown website: “Students discuss the roles they play as citizens, workers, and consumers in their community and relate those roles to the free enterprise system.” She added that when asked if next year’s 6th graders should attend, the students responded, “No! You need to take the 7th graders!” – a testament to how much they valued the experience and wished to return.
Conclusion
The JA BizTown field trip proved to be an invaluable experience for Bloomingdale Middle School’s 6th graders. It provided them with practical knowledge of economic concepts, workplace skills, and personal finance management. As Ms. Murphy observed, “It lets them experience real-world workplaces, the kinds of jobs available, and how it is important to keep track of their finances.”
This immersive learning experience has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on these young minds, preparing them for future financial and professional challenges. As Trish F. confidently stated, “It will help me own my own art studio someday.” The success of this field trip is a testament to the dedication of the organizers, teachers, and volunteers who made it possible, and to the enthusiasm and engagement of the students themselves.