Unlike a more traditional curriculum, STEM employs project-based learning as its main philosophy of teaching, with teachers and students working together for turn-key completions of projects.  According to Castille, “One of the strengths of our program is certainly the teaching staff.  Our teachers are very diverse and often bring their experiences from having been in the business world.  They understand the importance of working as a team and that projects need to be collaborative because that is the reality of the workforce.  The teachers and students work together to create a final product they can all be proud of.” >Top

After working with and understanding these concepts, students were ready“real-life” assignments they would be given at the Capital One/JA Finance Mobile Park.

Upon arriving, the students were each assigned a real-life scenario to use as the basis of their simulation experience, which included their job, (i.e., Bank Teller, Investment Banker, Dentist, etc.) salary (ranged from $26,000 to $98,000 per year), and family situation (single, married, children, no children).

Using these scenarios, students then had to create a budget and make a series of financial decisions regarding what they could afford for housing, food, phone, cable, utility bills, entertainment, charitable contributions, savings, and choice and mode of transportation.  Should they buy the pricey sports car or the practical mini-van?  How much money should they save, and how much can they set aside for retirement? How much do utilities cost, and what kind of housing can they realistically afford?

At the end of the day, most of the students balanced their personal budget based on their life situation, and all learned very valuable lessons about the sometimes difficult choices living within a budget entails.

Thanks go to Junior Achievement, Capital One and FMJH teacher Bobbie Weir for helping make a difference for students in financial literacy. >Top