Kirkwood Community College’s Workplace Learning Connection (WLC), a work-based learning program for middle school and high school students, will host its annual Financial Literacy Fair for Washington County schools on Thursday, April 11, at the Columbus Club in Washington. More than 250 8th-grade students from Highland, Mid-Prairie, and Washington middle schools are expected to attend.

The Financial Literacy Fair is designed to help 8th-grade students learn about budgeting and financial well-being. The event supports two pivotal educational topics: career exploration and planning and financial literacy skills development. As part of the activities, students will choose a career and use the starting salary to practice budgeting their life expenses. Over 30 business and community volunteers will guide students during the event with decisions on how to spend their virtual money on life expenses and investments such as housing, education, transportation, insurance, food, and “extras.” The simulated experience for students is both eye-opening and impactful. WLC will host the Financial Literacy Fair event 15 times across their seven-county region this spring. Nearly 4,800 students from Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Jones, Johnson, Linn and Washington counties will attend the event.