During the 2009-2010 school year, Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans reached more than 2,700 students in Capital One/JA Finance Park™, a program designed to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.  Due to popular demand, Capital One/JA Finance Park™ will again be available in 2011.

This exciting educational opportunity is available to a school's 7th, 8th or 9th grade students.  Finance Park™ gives students an opportunity to explore the world of work and entrepreneurship while enhancing their personal economic literacy.

The Finance Park™ curriculum introduces students to personal finance and career explorations through classroom instruction complemented by a hands-on experience where students apply learned concepts in a life-like community. During this on-site experience, students assume family and income scenarios and visit businesses to gather information for their personal financial decision-making. They use bank services; contribute to charities; purchase housing, transportation, furnishings, food, health care, and other expenses; and make investment decisions, while working to balance their budgets.

Through Finance Park™, teachers are given a new approach to teaching economics, and students are given a chance to experience education in new, exciting, and imaginative ways. Parents are given an opportunity to participate actively in their child’s learning as volunteers alongside Capital One associates. Program components include teacher training, volunteer training, classroom instruction, onsite activity led by volunteers, and follow-up classroom instruction for debriefing, evaluating, and extending the learning experience. The entire experience offers integrated learning, requiring students to use math and language arts skills. Students realize the relevance of learning these skills when they apply the skills and knowledge to a real-life situation.

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For more information, please contact Erin O'Connell:  (504) 569-8663 or erin@jagno.org