JA Exploring Economics tackles a complex subject and makes it accessible and fun for high school students through hands-on activities. JA Exploring Economics teaches concepts such as supply and demand and inflation, and teaches students about the effect which governments and the individual have on the global economy and on the price of a loaf of bread.

By making economics engaging and relatable, JA Exploring Economics helps students better understand the impact they have on the economy as consumers and taxpayers, and teaches important personal financial lessons around spending, saving, and investing.

Concepts – Banks as borrower and lender, Command economy, Consumer Price Index (CPI), Consumer purchasing power, Demand, Distribution, Economics, Economic isolationism, Economic systems, Federal Reserve System, Free-rider problem, Inflation, Inflation rate, International trade, Investing options, Market economy, Market-clearing price, Nonrivalry, Percentage change, Private property, Production, Public vs. private goods, Public vs. private sector, Regional trade, Risk versus reward, Saving options, Simple interest, Supply, Supply and demand, Tariff, Taxes, Trade restrictions, Utility, United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), World trade

Skills – Analyzing information, Categorizing data, Charting, Decision-making, Evaluating alternatives, Evaluating information, Graphing, Listening for understanding, Oral and written communication, Negotiating, Public speaking, Reading for understanding, Solving algebraic equations, Working in pairs and groups

JA Exploring Economics is a series of seven required sessions recommended for students in grades 9 through 12. The average time it takes to present each session is 45 minutes. Materials are packaged in a self-contained kit that includes detailed session plans for the volunteer and materials for 32 students.

All JA programs are designed to support the skills and competencies identified by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. These programs also augment school-based, work-based, and connecting activities for communities with school-to-work initiatives.

Additional information on the program can be found on JA Worldwide's website.