Researching Business and Creating Aids to Educate Communities on the Positive Effect of Being Banked

Summary of Project

Tymia’s high school students began their project with a field trip to Junior Achievement. They were joined with other area high schools and various professionals in the financial sector. Here they would meet with their banking partner, Bank of America, to set the foundation for the upcoming work.

My 8th-hour class is partnering with Bank of America to grapple with the issue of unbanked Americans. We kicked off the project with a field trip to meet our partners and learn about banking. From there, my students were challenged to research the history of banking, with special attention to minority groups. My students would learn not only about the complicated past that shades the level of trust many families have with certain institutions, but also about the growing technological services that are making banks obsolete. After meeting with our banking partner again, my students begin to devise plans to assist both the community and Bank of America with bridging this specific gap. Students have decided to create an educational product that clarifies the dangers of mobile money apps in comparison to a federally protected bank. Students will also provide Bank of America with a community involvement and engagement campaign pitch to restore trust within certain communities.