Inside 3DE classrooms: Education model blends business, personal finance in Milwaukee

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  Business and Finance on Fri, Oct 17th, 2025 by fox6now

MPS 3DE Classrooms: Business Personal Finance—A New Frontier in Financial Literacy

The Metropolitan Public Schools (MPS) district in Nashville has recently announced a groundbreaking initiative that marries cutting‑edge technology with real‑world financial education. In a move that could reshape how high‑school students learn about money, MPS will roll out its “3DE Classrooms”—interactive, three‑dimensional learning spaces—specifically for business and personal finance courses. The rollout, reported by Fox 6 Now on March 29 2024, is part of the district’s broader Digital Learning Initiative and aims to give students practical skills that extend beyond the classroom.

What is the 3DE Classroom?

The 3DE Classroom is a suite of virtual‑learning tools that allow students to experience financial concepts in a simulated, interactive environment. Unlike traditional slide‑based lectures, the 3DE system places learners in scenarios such as managing a small business, navigating credit markets, or planning a college budget. Teachers guide the experience, using real‑time data and visual cues that help students grasp abstract concepts like interest rates, inflation, and risk management.

The technology is developed by 3D Interactive, a Nashville‑based education software company. According to the company’s website (linked in the Fox 6 article), the platform is fully compatible with standard classroom hardware—projectors, touch screens, and even VR headsets—making the transition seamless for existing school facilities.

Why Focus on Business and Personal Finance?

Financial literacy has become a national priority. Tennessee’s Department of Education recommends that every student master the basics of budgeting, saving, credit, and investing before graduating high school. “The goal is to give students the tools they need to make smart decisions—whether they’re planning a career, buying a home, or just managing a monthly budget,” said MPS Superintendent Dr. Lisa Grant in the article.

MPS’s Business and Personal Finance courses are designed to meet those standards while also preparing students for the workforce. Students learn how to:

• Draft and maintain a balanced budget
• Understand credit reports and credit scores
• Compare loan options and calculate interest
• Navigate insurance, taxes, and estate planning
• Use technology to manage financial portfolios

In addition, the 3DE Classroom allows learners to practice these skills in risk‑free simulations. “You can see the consequences of a bad investment or a late payment without any real‑world fallout,” Dr. Grant added.

Implementation and Funding

The pilot program will launch in six schools across the district during the 2024‑2025 academic year. Each school will receive a fully outfitted 3DE Classroom, a professional development package for teachers, and access to a curriculum repository maintained by 3D Interactive.

Funding for the initiative comes from a combination of sources. MPS secured a $500,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Education’s Digital Learning Fund, while 3D Interactive contributed $200,000 in software licenses and teacher training. Local businesses—most notably the Nashville‑based bank, Heritage Trust—have also pledged sponsorship for in‑class workshops and mentorship opportunities.

Teacher and Student Response

Teachers participating in the pilot are enthusiastic about the new tools. “It’s a game‑changer,” says Mr. Daniel Hayes, a veteran economics teacher at Riverside High. “The interactive dashboards make concepts like compound interest tangible. Students are actually excited to learn about finance now.”

Students echo that sentiment. In a classroom tour highlighted in the Fox 6 video, 10th‑grade student Maya Hernandez shared that she now feels “confident” about budgeting her allowance and understanding how a credit card works. The pilot program includes a feedback loop where students can rate the effectiveness of each lesson, ensuring continuous improvement.

Community Partnerships

The program’s success hinges on strong community involvement. The MPS website notes that the district has partnered with several local nonprofits and business associations to provide real‑world case studies and guest speakers. For example, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce will conduct quarterly workshops where students pitch business plans to actual entrepreneurs, earning mentorship and potential internships.

The partnership extends to the state level as well. The Tennessee Department of Labor will track the program’s impact on students’ post‑secondary employment, with a view to expanding the initiative statewide.

Looking Ahead

If the pilot meets its objectives, MPS plans to expand the 3DE Classroom across all high schools in the district by the 2025‑2026 academic year. The district also intends to share its curriculum modules with neighboring districts through the Tennessee Education Exchange Network.

In an era where digital proficiency and financial acumen are increasingly intertwined, MPS’s 3DE Classrooms promise to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. By immersing students in real‑life financial scenarios, the program seeks to equip the next generation with the confidence and competence to navigate an ever‑changing economic landscape.