Eighth-grade students received a dose of reality when a simulation showed them what life could look like when they’re 28.
On Nov. 29, students participated in the Reality Store at Brown County Junior High School where each student was able to choose a career path based on their current grade-point average, said Kathryn Kabe, career education coordinator with the Brown County Career Resource Center. Kabe helped to organize the annual event.
“The Reality Store simulation game gave our eighth-graders a chance to ‘try on’ a particular career choice and see what a typical month might look like financially,” Kabe said.
Students picked a place to live and a car, did their own banking and had to provide for at least one child.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Students also were able to take a spin on the “Life’s Unexpected” wheel of events. “The wheel randomly assigned a life event, such as a car accident, a home repair, or even another child,” Kabe said.
“Many of the students said that this was by far the most stressful part of the day. Fortunately, volunteers from our community were there to help them out.”
Kabe said the game gives students the first chance to experience some life changes they will begin to make in the future, and that it is also an opportunity for a “reality check” before entering high school.
“If students recognized the need to make some changes in their study habits or work ethic in order to qualify for a better job, there is still time to do so before starting high school,” she said.
“Taking part in the Reality Store was a realistic opportunity for our eighth-graders to begin to understand what being an adult is all about.”
