Sixth-grade students from East Tipp Middle School had an opportunity to apply what they had learned in class when they took part in BizTown. The Junior Achievement program is an interactive, simulated town that's located in the Lafayette YMCA complex.
Student Evangeline Karns took the role of an artist for Freckles Graphics. “I enjoyed it a lot,” Evangeline says. “It was fun to help customers, make t-shirts and create designs for other companies. I also enjoyed my break time where I was in charge of what I did, where I went and being able to make purchases without anybody telling me to.”
Student Arohi Joshi was assigned to be the CEO of Purdue University. “It was so much fun,” Arohi says. “We got to earn money, deposit checks, buy things and work real jobs. You got to see what it is like for your parents. I learned that working a job and being grown-up isn’t an easy thing.”
Before they take part in the simulation, students spend time in class discussing the various business concepts, including how to write checks and apply for a loan. In BizTown, the students get hands-on experience as both employees and consumers, paying rent, taxes and utilities, buying advertising from the radio station, purchasing insurance, depositing paychecks, buying other businesses’ products, and handling customer service.
“JA BizTown is a popular JA educational offering,” said Resa Hodnett, Capstone Manager. “This learning experience is providing our youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today’s workforce.”
Arohi says she was surprised that her classmates were hesitant to buy things: “They were always looking for a better deal.”
For Evangeline, the experience surprised her: “BizTown was a lot larger than I expected and I had more free time than I thought I would. I was also surprised that I felt so tired afterward.”