ESCHENBACH, Germany -- Third-graders at Netzaberg Elementary School applied market principles they picked up from German businesses in the local area during their Economy Day, Oct. 20.
A few weeks earlier, students visited nearby businesses to learn about the goods and services that meet the needs and wants of their surrounding community.
Several German merchants participated by sharing their expertise and company history. Businesses included a florist, bank and a fourth-generation bakery.
Owners opened their doors by giving tours, having translators on hand and opening their shop outside of normal hours.
Store managers hosted a range of activities for the students. The florist demonstrated the importance of matching her supply with customers' demand. The banker showed students a bank vault and how to operate an ATM.
Not only was this an educational learning experience for the students, but it bridged a gap between the American students and their surrounding host nation.
"I drive by this bakery everyday but didn't know that they had to start baking at 3 a.m. every morning," said one student.
Another student said that his favorite part was the bank's secret side room, referring to a money-storage vault with an emergency drop-down security window in case of a robbery.
When the students engaged in the NES Economy Day, they used the information they had learned from the businesses to create their own goods and services to sell to their classmates. Using "economy bucks" they'd earned over time, students purchased goods or services provided by other students.
Students came up with their own products to sell, advertised and discussed how the price or supply contributed to the overall outcome of their success.
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