Hawthorne Elementary fifth graders recently had an experience that felt a lot like a real job interview.

As part of their preparation for the Lee’s Summit School of Economics Market Project, students sat down with interview panels that included Kearney School District Superintendent Dr. Emily Miller, members of her leadership Cabinet and Hawthorne Principal Chauncey Rardon.

The interviews were the culmination of weeks of preparation led by Hawthorne teachers Erin Dray and Sophia Martin, as students worked through the same steps many adults take when applying for a job, including completing an application, creating a résumé, gathering a letter of recommendation and preparing for a formal interview.

The experience is part of the School of Economics “Market” program, a hands-on, project-based learning opportunity where students operate their own economy for a day. During the upcoming field trip, students will run businesses, manage a bank and city government, take out loans, produce goods, set prices and learn firsthand how supply, demand and teamwork shape the marketplace.

For fifth grader Ivy Harris, the process has already been eye-opening.

“We’re interviewing for jobs like cook, cashier, shop manager or bank accountant,” Ivy explained. “It’s a lot of responsibility, and you have to work together with other people using the money you earn. It’s really fun, but it also teaches you how to manage a store and work with others.”

Ivy applied for a cook/cashier position, drawing on experiences that she already enjoys at home.

“I like working with other people, and I bake with my family and cook dinner sometimes,” she said. “I also like talking with people and communicating. The interviews were a little challenging because you have to go out of your comfort zone and talk to adults, but it was really interesting to see what it’s like.”

Students also learned that preparing for a job takes effort and organization.

“We had to create a résumé, fill out an application and ask someone to write us a letter of recommendation,” Ivy said. “You have to manage all of that and be responsible. It helps you understand what it might be like to apply for a real job someday.”

Mrs. Dray said the project gives students an authentic look at how classroom learning connects to the real world.

“The School of Economics project brings together so many of the skills our students are developing, like communication, collaboration, financial literacy and problem-solving,” Dray said. “Watching them prepare their résumés, practice interviews and support one another has been incredible.”

Principal Chauncey Rardon said the experience highlights the power of Project Based Learning.

“Opportunities like this allow students to see how their learning applies beyond the classroom,” Rardon said. “They are thinking critically, building confidence and learning how responsibility, teamwork and perseverance play a role in real careers.”

When Hawthorne students travel to the School of Economics Market, they will put those lessons into action by running a full economic system that includes a bank, city hall and multiple shops. Their goal for the day: produce goods, serve customers, manage their finances and ultimately pay off their business loans while turning a profit.

For Ivy, the biggest takeaway so far has been learning what responsibility looks like in the real world.

“It shows you how hard people work and how you have to be responsible and have the right qualifications for a job,” she said. “It makes you feel more prepared for the future.”

Experiences like this help ensure that all Kearney School District students are practicing the skills they will need to thrive.