Students learned the process of starting and maintaining a business and overcoming business challenges.

The summer program is creating food truck business models and teaching students about different local food businesses for a fun learning experience.

Tara Mammoser and Gina Hess are two of the teachers leading the summer JUMP program this year. The teachers are working together to develop a comprehensive program that will engage students in creative and educational ways.

“They’re doing business models, so they’re creating a virtual business,” Mammoser said. “Between the food trucks and the virtual business model, it’s just going to encompass the whole project base-lining.”

Jefferson Middle School’s JUMP program teaches children how to create their own business. The program combines education and creativity to engage students throughout the summer. Rolling Smoke BBQ gave a food truck presentation to students Thursday. P-J photos by Timothy Frudd

Students will learn about business, advertising, webpage design, materials, money and profit loss.

The JUMP program hosted a similar program last summer and was very successful. The school encourages project-based learning by having students work as teams to create their own food truck businesses.

By having students create a virtual business, the teachers hope to promote the values of cooperation and teamwork.

“You have to learn to work as a team and as a group,” Mammoser said.

In addition to learning the value of teamwork, students will also learn practical life skills.

“They’re creating their own business, so we’re talking about what it takes to be an entrepreneur,” Hess said.

The teachers have also included several educational components in the program.

“We’re also including literacy skills in it, where they have to read about businesses,” Mammoser said.

While the JUMP program was new last year, Mammoser said the school is already working on improving and expanding the program, especially the food truck business model.

“Every year, we’d like to expand on it a little bit,” she said. “We had more kids enrolled this year.”

Mammoser said the summer program revolves around the interests of the students.

“We wanted students to be actively engaged in learning, as well as making it fun,” she said. “Kids love anything involving food.”

Mammoser said the summer JUMP program provides creative ways for students to continue learning, while giving the children a chance to have fun and develop skills that are not often taught during the year.

“It’s project-based, hands-on stuff we don’t get to do during the school year,” Mammoser said.

“Summer programs provide a safe and nurturing environment where students can learn, create, and play,” Laura Penhollow, JPS Coordinator of Extended Learning, said. “Certified teachers will provide literacy intervention for all students while they participate in summer learning and enrichment activities. This will help students to continue to grow throughout the summer as they have fun.”

Jamestown Public Schools offers programming throughout the summer for elementary and middle school students. The LEAP program includes kindergarten through fourth grade students and the JUMP program includes fifth through seventh grade students.

Both programs are free for Jamestown students and run from July 5 through Aug. 19. The Sheldon Foundation and Cummins Engine help sponsor both programs. Additionally, the school district partners with the YMCA, YWCA and Boys and Girls Club for the summer programming.

The JUMP program includes reading intervention and enrichment and offers opportunities for students to engage in fun, project-based, multi-disciplinary learning activities.

Last year, students created their own food truck businesses, planned a treasure hunt, formed a forensic unit and participated in a variety of other creative learning activities.

This year, the program will continue to include several hands-on experiences for the students once again.

“We’re going to see some other businesses the next few weeks,” Hess said.

Ace Kettle Corn will be presenting another food truck experience July 18.

Students will also have the opportunity to discover other food businesses with field trips to Ecklof’s Bakery July 26, Tops Supermarket Aug. 2 and Farmer Browns Beef and Moooore Aug. 9.