JA BizTown Mobile: Bringing Hands-On Learning to Local Schools

Image caption: JA Biztown

What is JA BizTown Mobile?

JA BizTown Mobile is a hands-on learning experience designed to help students build financial literacy, work readiness, and business management skills. Through a blend of classroom lessons and an immersive simulation, students experience real-world economic concepts by stepping into roles such as business owners, employees, and consumers.

This mobile version brings all the excitement of the traditional JA BizTown experience into a setup that can be hosted in school gyms, community centers, or office spaces — making it accessible to a broader range of students right here in Lincoln.

How It Works

Before students participate in the live simulation, they complete classroom activities that introduce key concepts including financial literacy, budgeting, and business operations. Once prepared, students enter the JA BizTown Mobile simulation, where they:

• Receive paychecks and manage expenses

• Operate businesses and make strategic decisions

• Practice teamwork and problem-solving in a realistic, simulated economy

During the experience, students learn by doing — from handling “money” to understanding workplace roles and community responsibilities.

Impact in Lincoln

JA BizTown Mobile goes beyond classroom theory. It helps young learners:

• Develop financial literacy skills they’ll use throughout life

• Understand core business and economic concepts

• Build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills

• Connect their school learning with future careers and decision-making in the real world

Educators and community volunteers are essential to the program’s success, guiding students and helping connect simulated experiences to the real world.

Get Involved

Programs like JA BizTown Mobile are made possible through generous support from sponsors and partners in the Lincoln community. These contributions ensure that students can participate at no cost to their schools, empowering the next generation with the skills they need to thrive. 

If you’d like to support this initiative, we’d love to connect.

Please reach out to:

President & CEO | Toni Rupe — trupe@jalincoln.org
Senior Director of Learning Experiences | Kennedy Hecker — khecker@jalincoln.org

Together, we are excited to continue growing this program and bringing meaningful learning experiences to students across Lincoln.