A new “city” opened today in Iowa, but you can’t take a bus to Exchange City. They cut a ribbon today at the addition to Des Moines’ Junior Achievement headquarters. “Exchange City” is a virtual community where fifth and sixth-graders can learn about jobs and earn a paycheck real enough to buy products at local shops. Director Brenda Dryer says kids like the idea.She says the kids like the thought of having a job and contributing to their own little city, and they can’t make mistakes because it’s not real. Dryer says the new “Exchange City” has a 70-seat classroom, computer lab, and a dozen or so virtual business centers, so kids can walk through a real workday, and get real rewards.They can apply for jobs, get paid for their work, purchase things they’ve made, and abide by laws they’ve made themselves or paying a fine. Dryer says the kids can purchase items like stationery that they made at their “job” during the day, and see how they’ve contributed to their economy. While the “Exchange City” holds its grand opening today, the concept has already caught on.Kids will come from Des Moines and its suburbs, Adel/ADM, Norwalk, and Lamoni. There’s also an “Exchange City” in the Quad Cities and they might build one in Cedar Rapids. Corporations like Kum-N-Go and Meredith Corporation have been quick to step forward and sponsor parts of the project like the virtual bookstore, simulated bank, even “Exchange City Radio.”
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