Career readiness and financial literacy programs for grades K-6:Three ways children learn about careers and money with us
Every Career Lab Live program is hands-on. Children take on roles, handle play money, make choices and see what those choices cost. Career Lab Live writes the curriculum and runs every program.
Choose a program
In-school field trips
Children step into a real job for a day and use classroom math to do it.
We bring career stations to your school and run the whole day. Priced by custom quote.
About field tripsAfter-school program
Over a term, children practice counting change, budgeting, saving and spotting scams.
One session a week at your site, all term. Priced per child.
About the after-school programSummer camp
Across a full-day week, children go deep on one money topic and finish with a ceremony.
Monday to Friday, one topic each week. Priced per child.
About summer camp
The after-school program and summer camp both end with a showcase, run like a science fair: children present what they learned on display boards, and the entries with the most votes win prizes and rewards.
In-school field trips
A career field trip that comes to your school
No buses and no permission-slip trip across town. We set up career stations in your gym, cafeteria or classrooms, run timed rotations and pack everything away afterwards.
How a session runs
Kickoff briefing, 10 to 15 minutes
A short presentation introduces the job, the vocabulary and the scenario. Children get role badges and a rotation schedule.
Career rotations, 45 to 60 minutes
Children rotate through 3 to 4 stations of 15 to 20 minutes each, with hands-on tasks and mini-games.
Reflection and check, 20 to 30 minutes
Team debriefs, short presentations and a quick knowledge check.
A session lasts 90 to 120 minutes. Each rotation takes 16 to 25 children, and running several sections lets a school reach 100 to 150 children in a day.
For a larger school, Career Lab Live comes for more than one day, so every child gets a full turn. The rotation size is deliberate: 16 to 25 children is what keeps every station hands-on, so more children means more days, not fuller rooms.
What your school gets
- Trained Career Lab Live staff who lead the activities, with volunteers paired to each lead where available
- All station materials: role cards, scenario cards, play money, statements and receipts
- A teacher presentation for the kickoff, plus short before-and-after checks
- Set-up before and tear-down after
- Visual timers, sentence stems, an optional quiet station and a clear traffic flow, so every child can take part
What we need from the school
- A gym or cafeteria, or 2 to 4 classrooms
- 6 to 8 tables and a projector
- Access 45 to 60 minutes before the first rotation, and 30 to 45 minutes afterwards
Field trip industry tracks
Industry tracks
Each track has a head job, where children take on a real role, and mini-games that practice the same skills. Finance is available to book today, with Credit Union of Georgia as its community sponsor. The other tracks are in development, and you are welcome to ask about them.
Community sponsor: Credit Union of Georgia, a partner since 2025.
Head job: Banking Basics
Students take on the role of a bank teller, learning to verify customer IDs, process deposits and withdrawals accurately, handle cash transactions, and print receipts. This hands-on experience teaches financial responsibility, attention to detail, and customer service skills in a banking environment.
Skills children practice
- Math: Calculate deposits and withdrawals accurately
- Communication: Professional customer interactions
- Critical Thinking: Identify potential fraud or errors
Mini-games
Fraud Finder
Identify fraudulent transactions and suspicious activity
Decimal Detective
Master decimal calculations in financial transactions
Cash Handling Relay
Race to count and distribute cash accurately
Receipt Match Challenge
Match transactions to correct receipts
Head job: Leasing Assistant
Students work as leasing assistants, learning to match families with appropriate housing based on budget, family size, and location needs. They practice reading lease agreements, explaining key clauses, and helping clients make informed housing decisions.
Skills children practice
- Math: Calculate monthly costs including rent, utilities, and deposits
- Reading: Interpret lease agreements and contracts
- Communication: Explain complex terms in simple language
Mini-games
Budget Builder
Create household budgets within income constraints
Needs vs. Wants Sorting
Distinguish between housing needs and wants
Housing Match Cards
Match families to appropriate housing options
Head job: Claims Assistant
Students work as insurance claims assistants, learning to gather necessary documentation, explain policy coverage, calculate deductibles, and guide customers through the claims process. They develop skills in organization, communication, and understanding insurance terminology.
Skills children practice
- Math: Calculate deductibles and coverage amounts
- Communication: Explain complex insurance terms clearly
- Organization: Manage documentation and follow procedures
Mini-games
Risk or No Risk?
Evaluate scenarios to determine risk level
Deductible Calculator
Calculate deductibles and out-of-pocket costs
Policy Match-Up
Match incidents to appropriate coverage types
Head job: Project Coordinator
Students take on the role of a project coordinator, learning to plan construction projects by estimating material needs, creating realistic timelines, and identifying potential safety risks. This activity develops organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills.
Skills children practice
- Math: Calculate material quantities and costs
- Planning: Develop project schedules and timelines
- Critical Thinking: Identify and mitigate safety risks
Mini-games
Tool ID & Safety Quiz
Identify tools and understand safety protocols
Material Estimator
Calculate materials needed for projects
Build Sequence Sorting
Arrange construction steps in correct order
Head job: Customer Service Associate
Students act as customer service associates, practicing conflict resolution, applying store policies accurately, and assisting customers with their needs. They learn effective communication, problem-solving, and how to manage customer satisfaction while staying within company guidelines.
Skills children practice
- Communication: Active listening and clear explanation
- Problem Solving: Resolve customer issues efficiently
- Critical Thinking: Apply policies fairly and consistently
Mini-games
Price Comparison Cards
Compare prices to find the best deals
Scan & Total
Scan items and calculate accurate totals
Return or Replace?
Decide appropriate action for customer returns
Head job: Fulfillment Associate
Students simulate the role of a fulfillment associate, accurately picking items from warehouse shelves, packing them for shipment, and applying correct labels. This activity emphasizes speed, accuracy, and attention to detail in a logistics environment.
Skills children practice
- Organization: Manage inventory and order fulfillment
- Attention to Detail: Ensure correct items and labels
- Time Management: Meet shipping deadlines
Mini-games
Pack It Right
Pack items securely for safe shipping
Weight & Shipping Cost Match
Calculate shipping costs based on weight
Route the Delivery
Plan efficient delivery routes
Head job: Pharmacy Technician
Students simulate pharmacy technicians, learning to accurately read medication labels, verify dosages against prescriptions, and understand the importance of safe refill dates. This activity emphasizes attention to detail and understanding pharmaceutical information.
Skills children practice
- Reading: Interpret medical labels and instructions
- Math: Calculate dosages and quantities
- Attention to Detail: Ensure accuracy in medication details
Mini-games
Dose Check
Verify medication dosages are correct
Label Decoder
Interpret medication labels accurately
Medicine Math
Calculate medication quantities by 5s and 10s
Head job: QA Tester
Students act as QA testers, learning to systematically test software applications, reproduce reported issues, write clear and concise bug reports, and retest fixes to ensure quality. This develops analytical and communication skills in a software development context.
Skills children practice
- Critical Thinking: Identify and document software defects
- Communication: Write clear and detailed bug reports
- Problem Solving: Verify software fixes
Mini-games
Bug Hunt
Find and document software bugs
Steps to Reproduce
Document clear steps to reproduce bugs
Severity Sorting
Classify bugs by severity level
High school pathway. Career Lab Live's programs for grades 7-12 are in development, so this track is not yet available to book.
Head job: Junior Developer
Students take on the role of junior developers, implementing small software features, using version control (Git) to commit code, and writing basic unit tests. This provides practical experience in software development workflows.
Skills children practice
- Computer Science: Implement basic programming features
- Version Control: Use Git for code management
- Software Testing: Write basic unit tests
Mini-games
Logic Puzzles
Solve logic problems to prep for coding
Sequence Building
Arrange code sequences in correct order
Bug Fix Mini-Lab
Practice debugging code with guided fixes
Head job: Budget Analyst Assistant
Students act as budget analysts, learning to balance competing priorities, evaluate bids from service providers, and present well-reasoned funding recommendations. This develops analytical and persuasive communication skills in a public service context.
Skills children practice
- Math: Analyze budgets and compare costs
- Critical Thinking: Evaluate proposals and priorities
- Communication: Present data-backed recommendations
Mini-games
Bid Comparison
Compare vendor bids for best value
Community Needs Sorting
Prioritize community needs by importance
Budget Balancer
Balance city budgets with competing priorities
Head job: Energy Analyst Assistant
Students work as energy analysts, studying usage patterns to identify areas for cost savings and efficiency improvements. They learn to analyze data and propose practical solutions for reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Skills children practice
- Data Analysis: Interpret energy usage data
- Problem Solving: Identify cost-saving opportunities
- Environmental Science: Understand energy conservation
Mini-games
High vs. Low Usage Cards
Sort appliances by energy consumption
Energy Saver Match
Match energy-saving tips to situations
Peak Power Planner
Plan to reduce peak energy usage
Head job: Cafeteria Menu Planner
Students design cafeteria menus, focusing on nutritional balance, cost-effectiveness, and incorporating seasonal ingredients. They learn about dietary guidelines, food sourcing, and menu planning principles.
Skills children practice
- Nutrition: Understand balanced meal components
- Math: Budgeting and cost analysis for food items
- Planning: Develop cohesive menus
Mini-games
Food Group Sort
Categorize foods into proper food groups
Price Match
Compare food prices for budget planning
Week-at-a-Glance Builder
Plan a week of balanced menus
Head job: Front Desk Agent
Students assume the role of a front desk agent, practicing calculating guest charges, applying hotel policies, and resolving service issues. This develops customer service, problem-solving, and financial calculation skills.
Skills children practice
- Math: Calculate charges, taxes, and discounts
- Customer Service: Handle guest interactions professionally
- Problem Solving: Resolve service issues effectively
Mini-games
Folio Fixer
Correct errors in guest folios
Reservation Role-Play
Practice handling reservation calls
Customer Scenario Cards
Respond to various customer situations
Head job: Instructional Aide
Students act as instructional aides, assisting teachers by supporting small groups, providing targeted help, and collecting quick assessments of student progress. This develops teaching support, observation, and data collection skills.
Skills children practice
- Pedagogy: Support student learning effectively
- Observation: Assess student understanding
- Data Collection: Gather evidence of progress
Mini-games
Evidence Collector
Gather evidence of student learning
Lesson Match-Up
Match lessons to learning objectives
Feedback Finder
Identify effective feedback for students
Head job: Production Line Quality Assistant
Students act as quality control assistants on a production line, using measurement tools to check parts against specifications, logging any defects found, and communicating issues for correction. This develops precision, attention to detail, and reporting skills.
Skills children practice
- Math: Measurement and tolerance checks
- Attention to Detail: Identify defects accurately
- Communication: Report findings clearly
Mini-games
Measure & Mark
Measure parts and mark specifications
Defect Sort
Categorize defects by type and severity
Corrective Action Relay
Plan and communicate corrective actions
Head job: Help Desk Associate
Students act as help desk associates, learning to categorize and prioritize IT support tickets, guide users through basic troubleshooting steps, and explain fundamental account security practices.
Skills children practice
- IT Support: Triage and troubleshoot technical issues
- Communication: Guide users clearly
- Cybersecurity: Explain basic security practices
Mini-games
Password Strength Check
Evaluate password security levels
Issue Classifier
Categorize IT issues by type
Fix-It Flowchart
Follow troubleshooting flowcharts
Head job: Emergency Communications Assistant
Students simulate emergency dispatchers, learning to classify incoming calls based on urgency, dispatch appropriate responders (police, fire, ambulance), and write concise incident summaries. This develops critical decision-making and communication skills under pressure.
Skills children practice
- Decision Making: Prioritize and dispatch resources
- Communication: Speak clearly and concisely under stress
- Information Management: Document incidents accurately
Mini-games
Scenario Sorting
Sort emergency scenarios by category
Call Priority Ranking
Rank emergency calls by urgency
Response Match
Match appropriate responders to emergencies
How new tracks are built
Each industry track is built with the employers and community partners who know that work. So the tracks we can offer grow with our partners: more sponsors and community partners mean more tracks for children to explore.
See a demo first
Schools can ask for a demo first: one Banking and Finance simulation with a small group of children, to see what a field trip is like before booking a full one.
Ask for a demoHow our activities connect to the classroom
Activities are written to fit Georgia's K-12 Mathematics Standards (2023) and K-12 English Language Arts Standards (2025), at a level of challenge suited to each grade band within K-6. That alignment is our own judgment about how an activity fits a standard. It is not an endorsement by the Georgia Department of Education or any school district.
Questions about our programs
Which grades does Career Lab Live serve?
Career Lab Live serves students from kindergarten through grade 12. Its programs currently run for grades K-6, from kindergarten through sixth grade, at schools, after-school sites and summer camps in Georgia; programs for grades 7-12 are in development and cannot be booked yet.
Does Career Lab Live run programs for middle school or high school students?
Not yet. Career Lab Live's remit is kindergarten through grade 12, but its field trips, after-school program and summer camp currently run for grades K-6. Programs for grades 7-12 are in development and are not yet available to book.
How do I book an in-school field trip?
To book an in-school career field trip, a school requests a custom quote through the Career Lab Live contact form, and Career Lab Live prices each field trip for that school based on group size, number of stations, length of each day, number of days and travel. Schools can ask for a demo first: one Banking and Finance simulation with a small group of children, to see what a field trip is like before booking a full one.
How long does an in-school field trip take?
An in-school field trip session lasts 90 to 120 minutes: a kickoff briefing, career rotations through 3 to 4 stations, and a reflection and knowledge check, with 16 to 25 children in each rotation.
Can Career Lab Live run a field trip for our whole school?
Career Lab Live can run an in-school field trip for every child in grades K-6 at a larger school by coming for more than one day: one day of several sections reaches 100 to 150 children, and rotations stay at 16 to 25 children because that is what keeps each station hands-on, so more children means more days, not fuller rooms.
Help more children take part
Career Lab Live Corporation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 39-3910687). Gifts help schools that could not otherwise afford a program. Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.