What does it take to run a shop? Our 17 K2 Lil Unicorn students found out this term through Math Marketplace, a term-long project that turns early maths into a real business. Rather than learning about money and profit from a few classroom explanations, our lil ones planned a real event for their peers and families, because concepts learned by doing with their hands are the ones that stick.
They brainstormed what to sell, named their shops and designed their own posters. Browsing Shopee, they compared prices, quality and reviews, learning to work within a budget and keep costs low while aiming for the highest possible profit. Once supplies arrived, they made pencil holders, cactus pots, playdough sets and keychains, alongside lemonade, cupcakes and cookies. Two students even came up with a new art booth where visitors could paint their own bookmarks and mini canvases.
On the day, our lil ones set up their stalls, priced their products and shared out jobs, ranging from collecting money to packing orders. Many were shy at first, but with every sale their confidence grew, until they were approaching customers they had never met. Parents and staff were full of praise for how they put their skills to the test.
Back in class, they counted their earnings and learned to calculate their profit. Along the way, they had met ideas like budgeting, competitors and problem solving, and practised confidence and perseverance in front of the whole Dwi Emas community. This is Hacking Education in action: real-world learning our Lil Unicorn students will remember long after the stalls have closed.