Business and Marketing Education

●​ Opportunity Cost Board Game : In this decision-making game, students face financial scenarios in which they must choose between options, gaining rewards, and giving up others. This makes the concept of trade-offs more tangible. ●​ Scarcity Simulation : Groups receive unequal resources and try to complete the same task. The activity sparks frustration, creativity, and reflection, helping students experience scarcity and its effects firsthand. ●​ Incentives in Action : Offer small classroom incentives (like bonus points or rewards) for certain behaviors or achievements. Then lead a discussion on how incentives influenced decisions, linking to real-world examples. Shark Tank Simulation : Students create a simple business plan and pitch it to a mock “investor panel” (the class, teacher, or guest judges). They must choose a funding method (e.g., equity, debt, crowdfunding), explain why it’s the best fit, and calculate the financial implications (e.g., interest rate or percentage of ownership given up). Debt Scenario Challenge : Present students with several life scenarios (e.g., going to college, buying a car, starting a business). Have them compare debt options (credit card vs. loan vs. payday lender), calculate interest using real or estimated rates, and justify their choice based on long-term cost and financial health. Mini-Business Simulation : Have students run a mock business over a few days or weeks (even with imaginary transactions). They’ll track income and expenses, complete a balance sheet and income statement, and determine if their business is financially healthy. This can be digital (e.g., spreadsheet-based) or on paper. Supply and Demand Case Study : Students analyze a current event or product trend (e.g., video game console release, gas prices, fast food shortages). They draw a supply and demand graph and explain shifts, surpluses/shortages, and resulting changes in equilibrium price and quantity. Stock Market Game : Students pick a portfolio of stocks using a mock budget ($5,000–$10,000) and track performance over time. They analyze P/E ratio, dividend yield, and market capitalization to explain their choices and evaluate how diversification impacts their results.

Extension

RESOURCES

Practical Money Skills (Visa) ●​ https://www.practicalmoneyskills.com ●​ Features free curriculum on interest, loans, budgeting, Rule of 72, and financial decision-making. ●​ Best Use: Intro lessons and interactive calculators.​ NGPF (Next Gen Personal Finance) ●​ https://www.ngpf.org ●​ Lessons on compound interest, student loans, credit cards, and Time Value of Money.