Ninety fifth and sixth graders from Provo's Timpanogos Elementary School will be testing their business acumen during the first-of-its-kind mini-business fair at Brigham Young University Friday, April 4, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on the plaza between the BYU Bookstore and Harold B. Lee Library
For several weeks, the students have been working in teams of six to select products, determine prices and create posters for marketing. Products and services the students will vend include shoe polishing, break dancing, music CDs, candy-filled eggs, friendship bracelets, date kits (with gum and breath mints), cookies and carnival-type games.
The mini-business fair is the culmination of a mentoring program that paired student volunteers from BYU's Marriott School of Management with elementary school children. Each week since October 2002, the young entrepreneurs have met with their mentors to learn about basic financial principles like saving and interest, play games and receive help on homework.
The goal of the mentoring program is to give elementary school students exposure to a college environment and future educational opportunities. Program planners hope preparing for and participating in the mini-business fair will help the young students understand some very basic financial principles.
Though making money is not the reason for the mini-business activity, any profits will be donated to Timpanogos Elementary.
Please contact Joseph Ogden, (801) 422-8938 or 787-9989, if you have any questions or would like to be put in touch with MBA students or faculty working on the project.
Writer: Joseph Ogden
