Inside the Bryan Innovation Lab, fourth graders are bustling, busily arranging handmade goods (think: keychains, bath bombs, bedazzled pens, pom pom animals) on colorfully decorated tables. They are beaming with pride and ready to sell to (or negotiate with) shoppers of all ages. It’s Mini-Economy Market Day! 

This much-anticipated event caps off weeks of lessons that encourage fourth graders to think strategically about finance and entrepreneurship. After studying the basics of microeconomics, students design, manufacture, and plan the sales of their very own products. Retired Grade 4 Teacher Chris Tickle, who taught at Steward for 20 years, returned to campus this semester to again teach fourth graders about microeconomics. 

Each year, fourth graders submit and vote on Mini-Economy Market Day names; this year’s event was dubbed Cash-Out City Market Day. Students were given an $8 budget to spend on materials to create an original product, and they conducted market research to learn how to price their products accordingly. The budding entrepreneurs then created prototypes of their products, considered several price points, and surveyed their peers to get data on the possibilities of sales at these different prices. 

On March 4, our young creatives gathered in the Bryan Innovation Lab to sell their items to third graders, faculty, and staff, who were each handed 30 Cash-Out City Bucks to spend when they arrived. Cash-Out City Market Day buyers could also use their Cash-Out City Bucks to play student-invented games.

Grant McCann ’33 manufactured and sold Fidget Balloons: squishy orbs filled with flour that can be smooshed in your hands. “You could use one of these if you are feeling stressed,” explained Grant, whose red, white, and blue Fidget Balloons sold for $2 each.  

Ruby Reynolds ’33 and Quinn Wiles ’33 teamed up and sold laminated pre-made and custom bookmarks.

“I was surprised that so many people attended that we didn’t have time to shop!” said Ruby. Working with a classmate, she noted, “was important with this project because if you don’t have teamwork, then none of your thoughts will go together … they’ll be like water and olive oil. With teamwork, you can compromise.” 

Quinn added, “Teamwork is what brings people closer together. When you work in a team you get to know each other better. After this experience, I learned some new things about Ruby and myself. And that’s what really matters to me at the end of the day.”  

Johnathan Crosby ’33 melted crayons and created a variety of rainbow-colored shapes from the wax (his favorite: a skeleton). Business was brisk at his table. “It takes a lot of time and effort to make this project work,” said Johnathan, smiling as he collected Cash-Out City Bucks from a happy shopper. 

The Cash-Out City Market project is a great example of Steward’s core values (innovation, inspiration, care & respect, individuality, academic achievement, and civil discourse) in action. Fourth-grade teachers Janell Kauffman, Paige Pumphrey, and Sade Silver were impressed with their students’ hard work. 

“I am so proud to have witnessed our students’ growth and accomplishments as they charted new entrepreneurial territories,” said Ms. Kauffman. “They showed dedication, ingenuity, and teamwork throughout the project. Creating and pitching their products, engaging customers, and negotiating sales provided them with hands-on experience. They are innovative problem solvers with real business savvy!”