Story Created:
Nov 24, 2009 at 10:30 PM CST
Story Updated:
Nov 24, 2009 at 10:31 PM CST
On Tuesday at O'Gorman Junior High School, the South Dakota chapter of Junior Achievement hosted an event called "J.A. In A Day". Kayla Bickett tells us how the program works: "So we are taking over the school today to provide an in school field trip, to have business volunteers come in and teach students about entrepreneurship, work readiness and personal finance."
Through the use of games and other interactive activities, the students learn how lessons from the past influence the way the economy works today. These 8th graders, for instance, are playing a game about the California gold rush of the 1800's, and the influence of boomtowns and the mining industry.
"It kind of taught us about the economy and supply and demand and that when the demand's up, the prices go up," said 8th grader Paul Schoppert.
Action News Reporter Mary McKenzie: "So even though they're having fun, these 8th graders are learning real world lessons."
"Because of the economy right now, it's teaching us how to use our money wisely," student Katie McLaughlin told us.
November has been a big month for Junior Achievement in South Dakota. Through their dedicated volunteer network, in just two days of events this month J.A. will impact roughly 4800 Sioux Falls students, teaching them about business, economics and free enterprise, while letting them enjoy themselves in the process.
Events also took place in Sioux Falls Tuesday at Edison and Memorial Middle Schools. On November 9th, events were held at Axtell Park, Patrick Henry and Whittier.
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