TYLER, Texas — Caldwell Arts Academy elementary students on Friday afternoon unveiled Star City, a thriving metropolis filled with over 60 businesses built by third graders.
The students created their city in just six weeks. Tyler Mayor Don Warren along with many others paid a visit to the new shopping district.
Student Jacob Camarro served as the mayor of Star City, and as such he gave a welcoming greeting to his city's guests.
"We hope you have a fabulous time at all our fine shops and a wonderful day at Star City," Camarro said.
Sara Pearson, third grade social studies teacher at Caldwell Arts Academy, said she got the idea for the project from her own third grade teacher.
"We have a unit in social studies called running a business, where they learn about saving and spending and what it means to own a business and how that can affect the community and how different businesses are a part of the community," Pearson said.
Pearson said each of the students had to apply for a business license and create products or plan a service. Along with having a mayor, there was also a Star City bank and even a dojo led by a student who takes karate lessons.
One of the students, Maliyah, built the business, Maliyah's Flower Shop, with cardboard, spray paint and brick wallpaper.
"I made the flower, the products with pipe cleaners and I used hot glue. Two flowers are $4. It is really cool to see these people buying them," Maliyah said.
Pearson said the students' parents were able to stop by Star City, and everyone received $35 from the bank to spend on items in the city. The goal of the project was to teach the students how to earn an honest living.
"We talked about how in a business you might not get a lot of customers (and) you might get a lot," Pearson said. "But either way, the point is that whoever comes to our store, we're going to be kind and courteous. And we're going to make sure that we do right by them."