JOPLIN, MO.--- 2nd through 5th grade students in Joplin's Gifted Learning Program worked throughout the day to answer a very important question, how can Joplin school leaders make the new high school Spirit Store better?
"We have been talking a lot about the new high school and putting a lot of input on the school store," said Caroline Martucci, 5th Grade Student, Joplin.
This brainstorming session is part of their "Design Learning Project" which teaches business skills, merchandising techniques, and critical thinking skills.
"When we get their ideas, they are going to do some more research and send them back to us. I am going to ask some of our kids that are working in the store, lets put them on the table and take a look and see what's possible, and lets get some of this done if we can," states Kristi McGowen, JHS Business Teacher, Spirit Store Coordinator.
The youngsters are thrilled to be a part of planning something new.
"I think that it's good, because kids know what kids want, and we know what we would like to see," says Martucci.
"Design Learning Day" also included a tour of Northpark Mall, allowing the students to see practical applications of design concepts.
"We have a lot of ideas for the school store. About things they should sell, how they could display things, and what things they should sell," says Martucci.
While high school is still a few years away for students like Caroline, administrators say their ideas matter.
"This is going to be their school store eventually, and they are just so over the top with their ideas and they are so creative. 21st century learning is all about communication and problem solving and innovation and these kids are all over it," says McGowen.
"It's exciting because when you come back you can say, I thought of that, and you see that your idea has become real," says Martucci.
This Spirit Store will open with the new Joplin High School in 2014. It will sell school supplies, snacks, and of course Joplin Eagles merchandise
"We have been talking a lot about the new high school and putting a lot of input on the school store," said Caroline Martucci, 5th Grade Student, Joplin.
This brainstorming session is part of their "Design Learning Project" which teaches business skills, merchandising techniques, and critical thinking skills.
"When we get their ideas, they are going to do some more research and send them back to us. I am going to ask some of our kids that are working in the store, lets put them on the table and take a look and see what's possible, and lets get some of this done if we can," states Kristi McGowen, JHS Business Teacher, Spirit Store Coordinator.
The youngsters are thrilled to be a part of planning something new.
"I think that it's good, because kids know what kids want, and we know what we would like to see," says Martucci.
"Design Learning Day" also included a tour of Northpark Mall, allowing the students to see practical applications of design concepts.
"We have a lot of ideas for the school store. About things they should sell, how they could display things, and what things they should sell," says Martucci.
While high school is still a few years away for students like Caroline, administrators say their ideas matter.
"This is going to be their school store eventually, and they are just so over the top with their ideas and they are so creative. 21st century learning is all about communication and problem solving and innovation and these kids are all over it," says McGowen.
"It's exciting because when you come back you can say, I thought of that, and you see that your idea has become real," says Martucci.
This Spirit Store will open with the new Joplin High School in 2014. It will sell school supplies, snacks, and of course Joplin Eagles merchandise
