Junior Achievement Discovery Center

Bringing a Proven Model to Rochester

To meet our region's most pressing needs—including a lack of skilled workers in a variety

of industries and unprecedented generational poverty—we're bringing two of Junior Achievement's most impactful, proven programs to our area.

Our vision of the Junior Achievement Discovery Center at Eastman Business Park, home to JA BizTown^® and JA Finance Park^®.

How it Works

Each program encompasses 13 lessons in the classroom, followed by a visit to this "mini-city" with replica businesses and organizations that make up our community and workforce. The JA Discovery Center will house at least 15 different employer-sponsored storefronts to ensure economic and workforce relevance to our region. Classroom lessons are put to the real-life test, as a student becomes a citizen in this simulated economy.

JA BizTown^®

Community volunteers help 5th-grade students become active members of the economy as employees, working in one of the in-demand industries in our region:

Producing and selling products and services
Borrowing money
Hiring employees
Analyzing an income statement
Marketing their businesses

Students also spend time as consumers and citizens—making personal buying decisions with their paychecks, electing a mayor, and more.

JA Finance Park^®

Middle or high school students take on a new life, with a career, credit score, debt, family, and financial obligations. They use electronic devices and receive guidance from volunteer role models to make the financial decisions that support the lives they envision.

Impact on Students

Data from third-party evaluations shows that JA BizTown® and JA Finance Park® students notably outperform non-participating peers— and demonstrate a significant increase in overall financial, workforce, and entrepreneurial knowledge, along with positive changes in attitudes and behaviors.

VIDEO

View Our Flyer

Virtual JA Entrepreneurial Youth Summit

Wednesday, December 16, 2020
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

THE NEED
For many years, small business has been the job-creating engine that has driven the U.S. economy. However, with the COVID-19 shutdown, it appears that 57% of small businesses (66% of minority-owned) may permanently close.

If the rate of small business failures reaches a historical level, it will be critical that those considering entrepreneurship at all ages is engaged and that those individuals be provided with as many tools and resources as possible to help reduce the chances of failure due to inexperience.

THE SOLUTION
The Virtual JA Entrepreneurial Youth Summit will help students draw on their skills and creativity,unlock their entrepreneurial potential and plant the seeds for future entrepreneurial thinking

THE INSPIRATION
Students will be expected to receive key learning concepts through in-class learning, video assets and/or self-guided lessons. A mentor will be available to "beam in" to a classroom to help support students as they explore the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Each team of 2-4 students will present their business idea at the PITCH COMPETITION and the winning team will be determined at the event.

Sign up today below!

EDUCATOR REGISTRATION