Julie Kusiak, Heather Papandrea, Stephanie Parisi, and Brittany Pierson

This team’s innovative idea, "First Grade Farmer's Market," focuses on teaching first graders basic economical principals and financial literacy by having them crate their own fully functional farmer's market. The student's will conduct polls, market research, procure raw materials and manufacture their own stands and goods. Profit and loss will be calculated and any and all profits will be donated. The program is designed to illustrate the fundamental nature of a free market and the power of the individual choice due to scarcity. The hands-on and robust application will allow the students a solid framework of economics on which they can build upon in the future.