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Fifteen-year-old Kelsey Simmons wants to become a trauma surgeon. But with a spin of the wheel, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) student learned she was a college dropout with an annual salary of $22,040. 

Simmons, a sophomore at Cahokia Senior High School, was one of 48 Upward Bound students who participated in the original game, “Reality Store,” created by SIUE Career Development Center Counselor Robin Kilpatrick and revised by fellow counselor Amber Brown. 

Students in the UBMS program spent part of their summer learning chemistry, forensics, robotics, mathematics, English, Spanish, French and life enrichments skills, while getting acclimated to college life at SIUE. The sophomores came to the University on Monday, June 27 and will complete their summer component on Friday, August 5.  

The high school students from the East St. Louis School District 189, Cahokia School District 187 and Madison School District 12 are residing in Bluff Hall while taking their courses. During the day students migrate to various classes, in addition to working in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) computer lab and taking individual academic counseling. The students’ evenings are occupied with tutoring, studying and recreation.  

“This year, UBMS is focusing on fostering our students’ self-interests through character building workshops and the Myers-Briggs type indicator test,” said UBMS Program Director Elke Harris-McIntosh. “Students were also exposed to SIUE's Career Development Center’s “Reality Store” workshop, which gave them a sense of career paths to choose from, as well as learn about financial responsibility.” 

In the “Reality Store” game, students spun a wheel to see what SIUE major they would land on. From there, students tossed a bean bag to learn if they were either a high school dropout or college dropout, or if they would receive a high school diploma, a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate’s. 

Armed with these life indicators, UBMS students were then given play money based on the national average for their particular level of education or lack thereof.   

“I don’t plan on being a high school dropout,” said Le’Vauntez Conway, a Cahokia High School sophomore, who was looking over his monthly expenses with a budget of $1,850. “That’s not my mentality. I was taught to keep on going.” 

Some of Simmons’ $1,850 monthly “reality” money went towards a one-bedroom apartment for $600, groceries for $200, a phone bill for $100, clothing for $60, personal care for $40, entertainment for $40 and transportation for $80. “I will be taking the bus,” she said. 

“Getting a good education is going to be my number one priority,” added Simmons. “I want to be successful and live a happy life.” 

Fifteen-year-old Sharlena Owens, a sophomore at East St. Louis Senior High School, did well in the “Reality Store” game. Her bean toss netted her a master’s and an annual salary of $62,270. Owens said she is conflicted about choosing a career path. She has interests in becoming a heart surgeon, an actor, an author or an artist. 

“It’s good to have a healthy dose of reality,” Owens said. “A lot of kids seemed surprised at how much things cost. It’s important to learn how to get the most out of your money. Soon we will all be grown, and we need to know what it takes to become responsible adults.” 

The SIUE Upward Bound Math & Science  program is designed to prepare participants for post-secondary education and motivate their exploration of science, mathematics and related education professions. Participants receive tutorial instruction in science, math, language arts, foreign language and computer/laboratory instruction. The program also offers a summer residential component, where University faculty members instruct introductory courses in science, math, language arts, foreign language and computer literacy.  

Photos:

“Spinning” to see what his major will be is SIUE Upward Bound Math & Science student D’Arthur Singleton, from Cahokia High School. 

Taking notes in an engineering workshop is Pierra Barbee, UBMS student from Madison High School.