More than 1,300 third graders from the Houston County School District will gather at the District’s annual Marketplace to buy and sell handmade items. Marketplace teaches students economic concepts in the classroom while learning how to effectively use resources to create goods and services.

The event will be held February 8 – 10 from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. and 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. at the Cary W. Martin Conference Center at the Roy H. “Sonny” Watson Health Pavilion in Warner Robins.

“As entrepreneurs, they develop a business based on the good or service they want to provide,” said Christie Lehman, K-5 Social Studies Coordinator for the Houston County School District. “They determine the price based on the amount of time and resources used to create their product or develop their service. The culminating activity is selling their business’ items at Marketplace.”

Hundreds of parents, administrators and guests browse and shop at Marketplace. The student entrepreneurs will make change with currency they have created. Dozens of currencies will trade hands during the three-day event. Shoppers may stop by the Currency Exchange booth to trade U.S. dollars for a common currency – at a bargain exchange rate of one American dollar for two Marketplace bucks.

Merchandise and services sold at previous Marketplace events include sports trading cards, jewelry, games, bookmarks, hair accessories, stress management items, activity stations and more. All proceeds are used to provide instructional resources and additional funds and supplies for future Marketplace events.

For more information, contact Christie Lehman at [email protected] or (478) 988-6200, ext. 3463. Family members of third grade students are encouraged to attend and participate. Photos from 2022 are shown.