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11th Grade  Project 6 weeks

"Taming the Beast: Student Loans"

Matthew M
D2.Eco.10.6-8
D2.Eco.9.3-5
D2.Eco.10.3-5
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
+ 1 more
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Purpose

Students will engage in a comprehensive exploration of personal finance, focusing on student loans and investment strategies. Through hands-on activities and collaboration with community partners, students will develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities to address real-world financial challenges. By creating digital portfolios, students will showcase their understanding of exponential functions and interest rates, demonstrating their ability to apply mathematical concepts to practical financial scenarios. This project aims to enhance students' self-directed learning and academic mindset, fostering a sense of identity and belonging as they prepare for their future financial journeys.

Learning goals

Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of personal finance by analyzing student loans and creating personal budgets that balance needs, wants, and future goals. They will explore the impact of interest rates on borrowing and investing, utilizing exponential functions to model financial scenarios. Through collaboration with financial planners and university loan representatives, students will critically evaluate investment options for young adults. By engaging in self-directed learning and critical reflection, students will build self-knowledge and a sense of belonging within their financial community. The final product will be a digital portfolio that showcases their financial literacy and problem-solving skills.
Standards
  • [National Council for the Social Studies] D2.Eco.10.6-8 - Explain the influence of changes in interest rates on borrowing and investing.
  • [National Council for the Social Studies] D2.Eco.9.3-5 - Describe the role of other financial institutions in an economy.
  • [National Council for the Social Studies] D2.Eco.10.3-5 - Explain what interest rates are.
Competencies
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Students will create a comprehensive digital portfolio that includes interactive graphs illustrating the impact of interest rates on student loans and personal investment strategies, demonstrating their understanding of exponential functions. They will engage with financial planners and student loan representatives to gather insights and feedback, refining their projects through critique and revision. The final portfolio will be shared on an online platform, allowing students to present their findings and solutions to the local community, showcasing their ability to apply mathematical concepts to real-world financial scenarios.

Launch

Kick off the project with a "Financial Reality Fair" where students rotate through interactive stations simulating real-life financial scenarios, such as budgeting for living expenses, understanding loan terms, and exploring investment options. Invite community partners like financial planners and student loan representatives to guide students through these activities, providing insights and answering questions. This immersive experience will set the stage for students to explore personal finance concepts, engage in critical thinking, and begin their digital portfolio projects.

Exhibition

Students will host a community finance fair where they present their digital portfolios to peers, family members, and local financial experts. Interactive stations will feature student-created graphs and models demonstrating the impact of interest rates on loans and investments. Attendees can engage with students' personal budget plans and investment strategies, providing feedback and insights. The exhibition will be streamed online to reach a broader audience, encouraging community dialogue on financial literacy and student-led solutions.