Students Compete In ‘Zillion Dollar Island’

Students island-wide earned, saved, coded, and competed to build classroom economies in ConnecTech Coding’s Zillion Dollar Island competition, and Francis Patton’s Primary 5 and Whitney’s Year 9 classes emerged as top wealth builders, taking the primary and middle school titles.

The Game

A spokesperson said, ”Zillion Dollar Island is ConnecTech’s flagship financial literacy and coding simulation, where students run their own classroom economy. They earn, budget, invest in real estate, and write code, all while learning how money actually works. For primary students, this meant a 12-week project; for middle schoolers, a fast-paced two-day workshop. No matter the level, the challenge was clear: build a booming economy and keep it from crashing. However, reality intervened as prices spiked, curveballs flew, and inflation hit a nerve. Just ask the island’s youngest economists, both age 10:

“If you buy eggs? Millionaire. If you buy milk? Billionaire. Inflation is so hard. And don’t even get me started on the chip bags being 90% air.” ConnecTech student, age 10

“I know I’m rich and all, but why have 2 lollipops gone from $200 to $250? It’s just not fair. POV my bank account = broke.” ConnecTech student, age 10

A spokesperson added, “Behind the laughs, these classroom experiences delivered lasting value. Students walked away with real skills: budgeting, saving, investing, coding, managing risk, and handling inflation when it hit their wallets.

Primary School Winner: Francis Patton

“The primary title became an exciting P5 showdown, filled with determination right to the finish line. Both Francis Patton and runner-up St. David’s Primary celebrated a perfect 100% real estate purchase rate, every student becoming a proud property owner, and St. David’s even managed to surpass the requirement. But Francis Patton raised the bar, achieving four properties over the minimum and still pushing for more. Refusing to settle, the class collaborated, proposed a winning idea, earned bonus cash, and triumphantly secured a fifth property. Somerset Primary joined the winners’ circle in third place, with 100% as well. The result: a resounding victory for Francis Patton, boasting the competition’s strongest economy and filling its classrooms with future business leaders.

Middle School Winner: Whitney

“Whitney’s Year 9 class made their mark with enthusiasm and innovation. Their dynamic two-day workshop brought realworld excitement: mock interviews, business pitches, hands-on fraud awareness, cybersecurity tips, and a focus on building sustainable communities, all while aiming for the coveted real estate goal. Faced with challenges, the students showed spirit. The four parishes collaborated and negotiated expertly with Mrs. Paynter, Whitney’s Year 9 lead, as well as Mr. Richardson and Ms. M from ConnecTech. In the end, Whitney’s team celebrated closing with a 100% real estate purchase rate, embodying teamwork and resilience.”

“When we meet Bermuda’s children where they are and gamify STEM, learning sticks. Spark their creativity, encourage their curiosity, and you cultivate critical thinking, one of the best gifts you can give a child. Zillion Dollar Island shows what is possible when financial literacy and coding feel like play. These students did not just study the lessons; they lived them, and that is the kind of positive impact that lasts far beyond the classroom,” said Coral Wells, Executive Director and Founder, ConnecTech Coding.

Special Thanks

A spokesperson added, “ConnecTech extends a heartfelt thank-you to CPA Bermuda for playing a vital role as guest speakers during a middle school game segment. CPA Bermuda shared valuable insights on career opportunities in finance and provided guidance on online safety, directly supporting students’ learning experiences.

“Thank you to Barritt’s for sponsoring goods for the school store simulation. Thanks to Barritt’s contribution, the simulation provided students with an authentic shopping experience, enhancing their engagement and financial decision making skills.”

#Connectech #Education

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