reality fairs: to the classroom and beyond

Reality Fairs: To the Classroom and Beyond

Brought to you by Ingrid Adade, Leah Sprowl & the NYIB Network

What is a Reality Fair?

A unique opportunity to deliver a fun, interactive simulation of saving, spending, and budgeting

based on education, career choices and lifestyle choices.

Goal of a Reality Fair• Awareness: Student exposure and understanding of the

importance of practical money management skills.

• Interest: Increased excitement in learning about earning, spending, and saving.

• Experience: Deliver experiential learning without facing real harmful financial repercussions.

• Skills: Improved financial decision making and consumer confidence.

What are NYIB’ers goals?

Please rank by importance the Reality Fair objective:

*Also mentioned: CU Difference, Collaboration*

• Financial literacy among individuals results in more stable communities.

• Improved financial literacy, particularly early in life, results in a higher standard of living over the long term, including retirement.

• Research has shown that young people determine their attitude about handling money by the time they finish the 5th grade.

• Only 32% of American parents talk to their

children regularly about personal finance.

Why is this Important?

Student Impact• Students that are financially literate are more likely to make

better financial decisions.

• High school students that choose sound financial decisions are more likely to borrow prudently when financing their higher education.

• Helps student understand how they view and use money differently than other participants.

• Allows students to make financial mistakes in a safe environment without the real world consequences.

What are NYIB’ers doing?

Credit unions in the Network are collaborating with other credit unions and leagues are also starting to be in charge of Reality Fairs.

Reality Fairs reported

Students reached

???

Thousands

We are hoping to add this feature to the website this year.

Who are NYIB’ers reaching?

Check all the age groups Reality Fairs reach:

*Also mentioned: fairs for Families and Teachers*

Check all groups reached in Reality Fairs:

What are NYIB’ers using?Curriculum or non-curriculum?

What programs are being used for Reality Fairs?

*Also mentioned: Reality Store, Reality of Money, OH

State Real Money, Real World*

*Also mentioned: developed own

curriculum*

Time Commitment

How many times do you go into the classroom before a Reality Fair?

How many hours are involved in your Reality Fairs (includes classroom, prep time, and fair time)?

0-1 times - most common answer

Um…a lot!*Actual answer*

What are NYIB’ers spending?What is your budget for a Reality Fair?

Budget Considerations• Venue• Transportation• Materials

• Food• Other• Collaboration!

*Also mentioned: food for vendors and student

transportation can be the biggest expense*

What are NYIB’ers saying?Rate the biggest challenge you face in Reality Fairs

Volunteer Options• School Staff• Local Businesses• Students• Volunteer Programs

• City Chambers• Other CU’s• Other?

*Also mentioned: students, time, more demand than we

can accommodate*

What are NYIB’ers Saying?“The students comments and the confidence they gain makes it all worth while.”

“I have been involved with all sides of the Reality fair program. It began when I was a student, then a classroom teacher, next as a parent of a student , onto a business banker volunteer and now host to over twenty events per year. In my thirty years of adulthood and have loved every minute of my time involved.”

What are Students Saying?

Why Reinvent the Wheel?There are so many resources and programs already designed!

http://www.mass.gov/treasury/docs/fineducation/fltf/youth-financial-fair-toolkit-final-10-30-13.pdf

10 Steps to StartStep 1: Form a planning committee

Step 2: Determine date and location

Step 3: Recruit volunteers and community

Step 4: Prepare students and teachers

Step 5: Budget or fundraise for fair

Step 6: Plan outreach strategy

Step 7: Develop Career and Spending plans

Step 8: Confirm arrangements

Step 9: Promote the fair

Step 10: Survey and review for future