One local school put a new twist on the old saying that if life hands out lemons, make lemonade.

Amber Brien, teacher at The Learning Center, decided to integrate a hands-on, real-life scenario of learning into her final lesson of the school year.

The students in third and fourth grade at the Learning Center completed work on a project that covered course material, but also, successfully integrated an essential educational lesson with community involvement.

A lemonade stand event was held on May 28 at the Learning Center at 90 Jackson Ave. The two stands were set up by Brien’s class; it was the Lemonade Warriors versus the Lemonade People competing for sales. The proceeds from every sale went to the charity of each teams choice.

The Lemonade People raised $106.75 for St. Jude Hospital while the Lemonade Warriors raised $136.25 for the McKean County SPCA.

The project was inspired by the book “The Lemonade War” by Jacqueline Davies, according to Brien. After reading the book it became the students end-of-the-year final project.

Each team had to completely design their own business. Each had to design a stand and advertisements, purchase supplies within a budget, determine an organization that the money will be donated to, and decide their roles.

“While planning, I saw a chance for the students to incorporate many skills we have been learning into one project. They had to learn about budgets and profits, how to convert measurements to make their lemonade, read and write,” Brien said.

Throughout the book, 10 tips for having a successful business were provided and the students based each stand off of the tips — like location, pricing, and using gimmicks.

“They have gimmicks like mascots or snacks to persuade” people to buy from their stands, said Brien. “Both groups had sign spinners, one had a mascot made of pompoms with a bright yellow stand.”

The Lemonade Warriors sold pink lemonade and regular lemonade for 75 cents per cup along with chips and swiss rolls for one dollar each, while the Lemonade People sold regular lemonade in decorated cups for 25 cents per cup with Oreo balls for one dollar.

According to Brien, the students learned a valuable business lesson when the Lemonade People sold out of their Oreo balls and saw their profits fall; while the Lemonade Warriors lowered the price of their lemonade in order to compete with the lower price of their competitors.
“It was a blast for all and the students learned about profit and demand, how cooperation is key, and how truly hard it can be to work in sales. It’s a project I hope to do again. Rather than reading about these concepts we did hands on learning, and it truly works,” Brien said.

Brien also wanted to make sure appreciation was shown to The Foster Brook Creamery who donated drink holders, which came in handy.