Enriching Education - Mock Banking Leads to a Love of Math: Workplace Simulation Program Helps Students and Teachers Rediscover Their Love of Learning

 At the Clairton City School District in Clairton, PA, a new program created with funding from Remake Learning is helping disengaged students come alive and stressed-out educators rekindle their love of teaching thanks to lessons focused on the challenges of operating a real-world business. 

 

Created in partnership with BizWorld and based on the MicroSociety program that helps students build real-world life skills by running model societies, CCSD introduced over 150 students to the experience of running their own businesses. By engaging in simulated entrepreneurships, these students developed vital critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills that can help them in their future careers.

 

“One of our teachers discovered new inspiration when the BizWorld partnership launched,” said Tamara Allen-Thomas, Superintendent, Clairton City School District. “During the mock bank simulation, students became active and excited participants: problem solving, working through customer service scenarios, and collaborating respectfully with peers. The teacher recognized that she could now reference these business experiences when teaching math concepts, which can help make abstract lessons feel concrete and meaningful. She has since become our biggest advocate for expanding these community partnerships.”

 

Named for the idea that big change starts with small efforts — much like a tugboat helps a larger ship change its course — 2025 marks the third year of Remake Learning’s Tugboat Grant initiative. Started in 2023 as part of Future Driven Schools, the initiative has awarded funds totaling nearly $2.5M for educational innovation throughout Southwest Pennsylvania. 

 

“Tugboat Grants offer school districts the opportunity to test small ideas that can lead to big changes, not just for their own students, but also for the entire Southwest Pennsylvania learning ecosystem. When an idea succeeds in one district, other educators can learn from that success and adapt it to fit their own district’s needs. Every small win contributes to a rising tide that helps lift all districts over time,” said Tyler Samstag, Director of Remake Learning.