Student Exhibits at Family Literacy Night

Our class's display table December 7, 2016

At this evening's "Family Literacy Night" event, the students of the Technology for Life Success class had the honor of offering the only student-created display.

As a culminating activity for our First Semester unit on Money Management, students selected a project that involved pulling together what they'd been learning and presenting it for those attending the Literacy Night event. 

Exhibit by Ian Wynde

Ian Wynde did a survey of adults over age 21 and young adults age 16-20. He asked them about the types of bank accounts (savings or checking) they had. He compiled the raw data in data tables. Then he learned how to use the "chart" feature of Google Sheets to automatically create colorful circle graphs to illustrate his findings.

Game by Raycee Brown

Raycee Brown created an extremely popular "Memory" card game to  help younger attendees at the event practice reading numerals (1-20) and number words (one-twenty). The kids loved earning (plastic) gold coins for each match!

"College and Money" Exhibit by Treyton Neilan (College budget) and Shelby Neilan (Income Potential when you go to college)

Shelby Neilan researched how the amount of education you complete impacts the types of jobs you get and the annual salary you can earn. She identified typical jobs you can get if you don't finish high school, if you have a high school diploma, and if you have a bachelor's degree. She also identified specific jobs you could do at each level if you have a specific skill set. It was clear there are significant financial advantages to getting a four-year degree!

Treyton Neilan's exhibit featured a fictitious college student, "Jeff," and identified his income and expenses for a typical college year. Although "Jeff" worked part time while attending undergraduate studies full time, he also relied on grants, a scholarship and loans to make ends meet. Because he worked hard at his job and in his studies, and because he was very thrifty, "Jeff" was able to put some money away each semester, too. His savings would allow him to pay back loans or perhaps even buy a used car after riding his bike to and from class and work for four years.

Exhibit by Tyrone Lawrence (credit cards) and Lorelei Barse (debit cards)

When you buy something and offer "plastic" to pay, the cashier often asks you, "Debit or credit?" This exhibit analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of credit cards (Tyrone Lawrence's research) and the advantages and disadvantages of debit cards (Lorelei Tervino-Barse's research). Both types of "plastic" can help adults to manage their money, but smart adults understand the risks and the benefits.

Exhibit by Maggie Yankton

When you get your checking account, you can often select the design you want to have on your checks. Artist Maggie Yankton used color pencil and ink to create an original design featuring images reflecting Dakota culture. She carefully measured sample checks to ensure that all details (such as the lines to put signature, etc.) were exactly placed. She even invented a bank, "Indigenous National Bank."