Classroom Happenings: Mini-Economy Market Day

Mini-Economy Market Day is a beloved Steward tradition, and this year’s event was bursting with entrepreneurial spirit.  

This much-anticipated event capped off weeks of lessons that encouraged our 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 The United States of Chicken Nuggets. 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 February 24, fourth graders were bustling inside the Bryan Innovation Lab, busily arranging their handmade products, from keychains to bookmarks to wallets crafted from colorful tape. With their wares displayed on brightly decorated tables, the students grinned with pride and anticipation as they sold to (or negotiated with) shoppers of all ages. 

Our young creatives sold their items to third graders, faculty, and staff, who were each given 30 United States of Chicken Nuggets “bucks” to spend when they arrived. Market Day buyers could also use their bucks to play student-invented games, including an exciting Pokémon challenge. 

Ariana Patel ’34 and Alysha Mehta ’34 teamed up to make and sell “spinner doodles” made of popsicle sticks wrapped in colorful yarn. 

“If you buy one for two dollars, you get to spin the spinner doodle prize wheel!” said Ariana excitedly to prospective buyers. Prizes included pencils, temporary tattoos, and a “mystery” gift. Both girls agreed that collaborating on the project enriched their knowledge of entrepreneurship. 

“Plus, it was fun making stuff together!” said Alysha. 

Quincy Sullivan ’34 had a display of several dozen brightly colored painted emoji rocks at his booth. A hot-pink rock had a worried expression painted on it, while a deep green rock was decorated with a smiley face. 

“You can use a rock to [illustrate] how you’re feeling,” said Quincy, who priced the rocks at $2 each. “Or as a paperweight!” Business was brisk. 

Hard Work, Personal Growth 

Mini-Economy Market Day is an example of four of Steward’s core values (innovation, inspiration, individuality, and academic achievement) in action. Fourth-grade teachers Paige Pumphrey, Katy Koppanyi, and Sade Silver were impressed with their students’ hard work. 

“Our students have been working since September to learn the many ins and outs of how an economy works,” said Ms. Pumphrey. “They read stories, participated in group challenges, played games, and read scripts to help understand the complexities of an economy. We are proud of their commitment, creativity, and collaboration!”