2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
RET: Games and Real-Life Investments to Enhance Personal Financial Literacy Understanding for Middle School Students
Presented at NSF Grantees Poster Session II
Most existing approaches to teaching financial literacy to middle school students use lecture-based methods. This paper presents a multi-faceted instructional approach that employs educational games, simulation tools, and real-life investment experiences. The goal is to develop essential economic thinking and problem-solving skills that will benefit students as informed consumers and future investors. Students learn through inquiry and discover foundational principles related to budgeting, saving, debt, interest, and investments. This approach keeps students engaged and provides opportunities to apply basic math to real life situations in a safe environment.
The module was implemented in a class of 15 students and evaluated using pre- and post-tests, along with an opinion survey. Students found the lessons to be engaging and effective and most showed improved confidence in their understanding of personal finance and increased problem-solving abilities.
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Ms. Elif Polat Texas A&M University [biography]
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Dr. Sheng-Jen Hsieh Texas A&M University [biography]
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