Students spend six weeks in their classroom studying economic educational objectives that teach them about writing checks, using a debit card, keeping a checkbook register, applying for a job and working as a group. These objectives are put into action as the students spend the day at Commerce Plaza. During their visitation, students work in one of the 12 simulated businesses, take 2 breaks, receive a paycheck and have the opportunity to interact with the other businesses.

Prior to the students visit, they will learn basic economic principles in their classroom setting with commerce plaza’s, six weeks curriculum.

A bank (sponsored by Capital One Bank), a school of higher learning (sponsored by Hofstra university), a snack shop (sponsored by IKEA), a financial credit union (sponsored by Jovia Financial Credit Union), a newspaper, a laboratory (sponsored by TrueTox Labs), a medical center (sponsored by Cohen Children’s Medical Center Northwell Health), a non-profit center (sponsored by United Way), an environmental impact center and various other businesses Experiential learning; teaching students about careers, economics and citizenship Students developing basic economic concepts and understanding of the relationship between business and consumers Each student assigned to a specific job at a specific place of business while cultivating a strong sense of civic and vocational responsibilities Students receive mock paychecks, deposit funds into their checking accounts, make purchases and understand charitable giving Students learn the intricacies of the work place, interacting with other businesses and having designated break times Students produce a daily newspaper that summarizes their involvement in the business community while at Commerce Plaza Students ultimately learn about the critical role that business plays in their lives and in the community

Students return to their regular classroom for additional discussion and learning about careers, economics, business and community based on their day at Commerce Plaza.