The HUB was buzzing with energy as Nanjing International School's Grade 10 students transformed their business ideas into reality during this year's Market Day. From rice dogs and milk mochi to homemade drinks, baked goods, and creative snacks, students took ownership of every aspect of running a business while younger students eagerly explored the marketplace as customers.

Market Day is part of the Grade 10 Business unit and serves as a practical introduction to concepts students may encounter in DP Business Management. Rather than simply learning about entrepreneurship in a classroom, students experience it firsthand. The event is also a powerful example of NIS's commitment to our learning strategy of Student Voice and Student Choice. Students are given the freedom to develop their own ideas, make key decisions, and take responsibility for the outcomes. At the same time, Market Day reflects Bursting the Bubble, connecting classroom learning with authentic, real-world experiences.

As Secondary Teacher Curt Farnham explains, "Market Day is to help them get ready for Business Management, if that's the IB Diploma Programme (DP) subject they're going to take."

Working in teams of two to five, students formed their own companies and developed business plans from the ground up. Each group researched potential demand for their product, applied for a small loan from the student bank, purchased raw materials, calculated production costs, set pricing strategies, and estimated potential sales.

"They have to research their product to see if there's going to be demand," said Mr. Farnham. "Estimate how many sales they'll do, figure out what the cost is, unit cost of the product, and what's an appropriate price point."

The results were as diverse as they were impressive. Students created everything from freshly prepared street-food-inspired dishes and desserts to specialty drinks and innovative treats. Many teams also designed their own posters, menus, logos, and promotional campaigns to attract customers. Throughout the day, younger students visited the stalls, spending their Market Day currency while interacting with the Grade 10 entrepreneurs. The atmosphere was lively and collaborative, with students learning firsthand about customer service, financial management, teamwork, and the realities of operating a small business.

One of the most valuable aspects of Market Day is the level of student agency it encourages. While teachers provide guidance and a framework for success, the direction of each business is determined by the students themselves.

"It's really one of those units where, at the beginning, we teachers have no clear idea where they're going to end up," Mr. Farnham said. "The kids just run with it."

Beyond developing business skills, Market Day also supports student wellbeing. Profits generated from the event are directed toward the DP Social Committee, a student-led group that organises activities and events designed to help students connect, de-stress, and maintain balance throughout the Diploma Programme.

By combining financial literacy, collaboration, creativity, communication, and problem-solving in a real-world setting, Market Day demonstrates the power of authentic learning at NIS. It shows what can happen when students are trusted with genuine responsibility and given the opportunity to turn their ideas into reality.