Nearly 200 children buzzed around Turner Gymnasium Thursday morning to advertise, sell, and buy products such as bunnies made from socks packed with rice, eco-friendly playdough, and piggy banks made from repurposed plastic bottles. Meanwhile, local news reporters made their way through the crowd to document what the students had learned about product creation, money, economics, and business.
Students from 14 schools throughout Central Virginia participated in the fourth annual Mini Economy Market Day hosted by University of Lynchburg’s Center for Economic Education and the United Way of Central Virginia on Thursday.
Throughout the school year, students in local schools create their own “mini-economies” and create products to bring to Market Day. They learn about currency, income, budgeting, business plans, taxes, and more. The Center for Economic Education, part of the School of Business and Economics, provides support and training to the teachers who lead students in the activities.
On Market Day, they buy and sell their products using currency designed specifically for the event. Meanwhile, judges peruse the products and choose winners in several categories.
The 2016 Market Day drew media attention from the News & Advance, WDBJ7, WSET, and WFXR News, a Fox affiliate in Roanoke.
Winners included:
Outstanding Entrepreneur Award
Snuggle Snakes — Boonsboro Elementary
Decorative Krew — Otter River Elementary
Nature’s Nest – Perrymont Elementary
Honorable Mention for Outstanding Entrepreneur
Duct Tape Wallets — Jubilee Center
Perfect Pillows — Otter River Elementary
Coasters for You — Huddleston Elementary
Outstanding Marketer Award
Jubilee Biz — Jubilee Center
Icky Sticky Slime — New London Academy
Rainbow Candles — Perrymont Elementary
Honorable Mention for Outstanding Marketer
Decorated Pocket Folders — Heritage Elementary
Duct Tape In — Perrymont Elementary
Flytastic — Perrymont Elementary
Most Innovative Award
H2O4U — Boonsboro Elementary
Booster Baskets — Bedford Elementary
Blazing Bird Feeders — Appomattox
Honorable Mention for Most Innovative
Tweety Bird Feeders — New Vista School
Squeeze Me Stress Balls — Bedford Elementary
Bouncing Butters — Goodview Elementary