If you’ve been in the business teacher community for a while, maybe you’ve heard of the Food Truck Project. Over the years, the project has grown in popularity and become my number one seller on TpT. With over 150 ratings, the high school business simulation has been well-loved. Since it’s creation I’ve added several other business simulations to my TpT store such as the Be an Entrepreneur Business Simulation and and Pro Sports Team Marketing Business Simulation.
What is a Business Simulation
If you’re not familiar with the concept, I consider a simulation as a deep-delve into course concepts with one cohesive project that runs throughout the semester. Each simulation contains several projects that can be used altogether or that the teacher can pick and choose to only use their favorites. These projects apply key course concepts and highlight student creativity. Students build on their ideas throughout the semester. Today I want to share 5 reasons why I love business simulations and maybe you will also.
Memorable Experience
Business simulations are a great engagement tool to help promote student buy-in for the course. Students become excited about adding to their project and take ownership and pride in their work.
Simulations also help to make the course memorable. Students tell their friends and family members about the project which builds excitement for the course. Students may not remember every lesson we create, but they will remember what food truck they created or what event they planned in the simulation. Students come into the class already talking about what food truck or business concept their brother, cousin, or friend created.
Workplace Skills
Workplace skills are not easily taught with a lesson plan, but business simulations require students to use and harness these skills. For most of my simulations, I prefer to have students work in groups. While group work can have its challenges, it helps students to learn to work together, collaborate, share ideas, problem-solve, and promotes teamwork. Each simulation requires student creativity and the application of course concepts.
Budget-Friendly
There are many larger companies out there making more tech-savvy business simulations. While these may be a great option for a large budget, many of us don’t have that luxury. The business simulations you’ll find in my TpT store typically range from about $15- $30, which may even seem like a lot with ever-present budget cuts. Many larger companies charge by the student or semester but each of my simulations is a one-time purchase that can be used for your personal classroom use with all your future students.
Cohesive
As a teacher, it’s nice to have a common thread that makes your course feel cohesive. While each project in the business simulations contains background information for students to do the project, they are meant as a course supplement and not standalone. Combine these simulations with the materials you’re already using in your classroom. Integration within the course helps to keep students from getting bored and makes them excited for days they’re working on their projects because there is more build-up to the main event.
Real-World Connections
Last, but certainly not least, business simulations help students make real-world connections. The business world may not be easily relatable for all of our students but these projects help meet students where they are. Students may not find a topic such as financial statements meaningful when it is looking at another business, but when they are applying these concepts to their own business ideas it helps to make the content more applicable and relatable.
These projects can also be a great tool to get your local community involved in your classroom. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as having a guest speaker who is an event planner or guest investors come for business pitches with the Food Truck Simulation.
There’s a Simulation for That
To date, I have 5 business simulations available for purchase and I’m currently working on my 6th. The simulations I have can cover a variety of courses. Some of the most common courses include Introduction to Business, Marketing I, Marketing II, Entrepreneurship, Event Planning & Management, Hospitality & Tourism, and Sports & Entertainment Marketing to name a few. I also love to hear your suggestions for courses that you’d like to have a simulation for in your classroom. Connect with me on social media to share your course picks. You can find me on IG, Facebook, or shoot me an email!
Here’s the links to these simulations if you want to hop over to my TpT store and take a look!
- Food Truck Business Simulation
- Be an Entrepreneur Business Simulation
- Event Planning & Management Project Bundle
- Resort Marketing Business Simulation
- Pro Sports Team Marketing Simulation
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