March 12, 2013

Ruckersville Elementary School hosted the Global Entrepreneur Market, or GEM Fair Tuesday morning. It teaches third and fourth graders about how to be successful in business.

James Madison University's Center for Economic Education sponsored the annual fair

"We create these wonderful young entrepreneurs who are prepared to go out into the world and create their own business and the materials that go into a product and how to engage people in business," said Lynne Stover with JMU. "We are preparing them for the real world."

The students filled the school cafeteria and sold products they had made themselves. Some top-sellers were bracelets, pencil covers and "goo."

One group made space chips out of Pringles cans.

"We decided to add some new details to it there," said student Kornel Tyler.

"It looked cool so we decided to put it on there," said student Ethan Davis.

"I have mostly bracelets and different stuff," said student Cayla Corbin. "I spent mostly a couple months making all of it and I really enjoyed it.

"They are origami Yodas that I made with the help from my sister and my dad," said student Zachary Waugh.

During the school year students learned about economic and business practices like supply and demand. They even used a special currency to buy products called GEM bucks.

At the end of the event the students received awards based on their business skills, presentation, and product creativity.