Economics is fundamentally about decision-making and resource allocation. This project challenges students to apply economic principles by analyzing and redesigning their school’s budget. Schools, like any institution, operate with limited resources and must decide how to allocate funding for maximum benefit. Students will step into the role of economic advisors, evaluating existing budget allocations and proposing changes that optimize spending based on key economic concepts such as opportunity cost, scarcity, and trade-offs.

Students will begin by examining their school's current budget (if accessible) or a sample school budget. They will assess how resources are currently distributed across various departments such as academics, sports, arts, and infrastructure. By considering both short-term and long-term needs, students will make decisions about where funds should be increased, reduced, or redistributed.

An essential part of the project will be justifying these decisions using economic reasoning. Students will need to consider stakeholder perspectives—including students, teachers, administration, and parents—while explaining why their proposed budget changes align with efficiency, equity, and long-term sustainability. They must also predict potential consequences of their changes, both positive and negative.

At the end of the project, students will present their redesigned budget to the class, defending their decisions and responding to questions as if they were presenting to a school board. The goal is not just to propose changes but to demonstrate an understanding of how economics plays a role in everyday decision-making, even in educational institutions.