Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe served as a panelist for Bobcat Bank – a Shark Tank-style student event at Burrowes Elementary School in the School District of Lancaster – and judged students’ innovative pitches to address chronic absenteeism.
In its second year, Bobcat Bank challenges fifth grade students to collaboratively develop an idea that solves a challenge the school is facing. This year, the challenge focused on finding ways to combat chronic absenteeism among students. Students worked in small groups to develop ideas and then had to come up with a business plan that included marketing, sales, and research/development. Students then presented their ideas to a panel of community judges who reviewed the presentations and selected a winning idea.
“Activities like Bobcat Bank demonstrate the importance of providing students with hands-on, engaging learning experiences that empower them to think critically and strategically, collaborate, and be creative,” said Secretary of Education (and Bobcat) Dr. Carrie Rowe. “These opportunities help students connect curriculum to community, build critical workforce skills, and—most importantly—have fun with learning.”
Bobcat Bank incorporates college and career readiness components, as students practice skills like teamwork, conflict resolution, problem solving, time management, setting goals, and compromise. The winning project receives the highest score from the panel of judges, who utilize a rubric that evaluates the groups’ creativity, teamwork, presentation skills, and knowledge about their product.
“Bobcat Bank empowers our fifth graders to think as innovators and problem-solvers. By tackling real challenges—like chronic absenteeism—students learn collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking in a way that connects classroom learning to real-world impact,” said Dr. Alex Rohrer, Senior Community School Director at Burrowes Elementary School. “This project reflects our commitment to student voice and community partnership. Schools are constantly looking for creative ways to engage their communities within their building, and Bobcat Bank does just that. Community members are able to not only participate in a student-run learning experience but also hear directly from one of their most important stakeholders in the work that they do in their day-to-day role. We are so grateful to host Secretary Rowe and PDE to showcase the excellent education we provide here at Burrowes Elementary.”
“As a school counselor, the goal was to turn career standards into something real and exciting for our students. Too often, meeting those goals through traditional lessons feels boring or disconnected. That’s why I created Bobcat Bank, so we could offer students a hands-on project that inspires students while also teaching important skills like teamwork, communication, and so much more,” said Lauren Clemens, school counselor. “When I walk into a classroom, students light up because they know it’s time for Bobcat Bank. Students were so excited they were asking to skip recess and work on the project as homework. Their enthusiasm proves that when learning is engaging, relevant, fun, and interactive, students truly thrive, which is exactly what we want here at Burrowes!”
