Due to the recent success of a crack team of investors, all of whom coincidentally are in the sixth grade at Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo, today Emerging Prairie is highlighting Ross Almlie and BreadVault. To most watching the news coverage from Associated Press articles to Fox Business discussions, the focus has been on the students of Dave Carlson’s sixth grade math class. The team used a Motif Investing competition to learn about the stock market and generate an investment portfolio – later it was learned that they were investing around the same time the top business schools in America were using the platform. At the end of the competition, Oak Grove shocked those collegiate competitors with a portfolio return over 20 percent higher than the leading team.
The success of Dave’s coined Math Minions provides fantastic exposure for Fargo to the national community, but what has slightly skirted this discussion has been the platform that provided investment simulation and education tools: BreadVault. Introduced in 2012 as a means for kids and families to learn about investing, the organization is now working to expand its curriculum and teach students money management skills in the classroom. After a fantastic test with Dave’s math students, BreadVault has been experiencing an uptake in website traffic and interest.
Emerging Prairie connected with Ross Almlie to get the full scope of all that has happened in the past week, as well as the plans for BreadVault as it continues to refine its products. Consider this feature a bit of a teaser, as Ross will be speaking at this Wednesday’s 1 Million Cups Fargo event.
The official beta test for BreadVault’s academic tools will begin in fall of 2014. Focuses will include determining the ability of students to understand money problems by adopting virtual financial lives. Through this sandbox approach to learning about real world issues, students will begin to understand the components of budgeting, investing, philanthropy, and other aspects of a sustainable financial life. Ross and his team are working diligently to walk the line between entertainment and education so as to stimulate the students’ minds while providing value and knowledge.
BreadVault is spearheading the transition from monotonous lectures to applied experience in the classroom. With the constant increase in classroom technology, students now have the ability to learn with individuals around the world and through national competitions like Oak Grove’s newest batch of adept investors.
Ross, a financial advisor at Jamison Financial Group with over 20 years of experience, created BreadVault after witnessing the carelessness with which some individuals expend their financial assets. He wanted to create the tools necessary to understand even the simplest monetary concepts so that everyone could live a financially stable life. After the initial development of BreadVault’s main applications, Ross reached out to his middle school alma mater, and Dave made an encouraging response which turned into a fruitful outcome and national recognition. Currently Ross’s organization is even under review by the casting directors of ABC’s Shark Tank.
BreadVault’s main apps are available online and for mobile downloading, and Ross encourages the FM entrepreneurial community to use them and provide feedback. He claims the apps thrive off constructive criticism and genuine interest. BreadVault is also searching for school partnerships nationwide – all schools interested in being a part of the 2014 beta test are encouraged to contact Ross.
In the meantime, Ross will be featured soon at 1 Million Cups Fargo this Wednesday from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM at The Stage at Island Park. Be there to speak with Ross about his organization’s success and future plans. Expect more information on this event tomorrow.
