PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS WEEK In 1999, ACES added Pennsylvania Business Week (PBW) to its list of economic education programs. PBW is an exciting partnership
between the education and business communities. It's an intense one-week, in-school program that teaches high school students about the American economic system, as well as extremely
important business concepts and principles.
ACES is proud to have been selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development as an approved Educational
Improvement Organization. Therefore, contributions to Pennsylvania Business Week may qualify for Educational Improvement Tax Credits. Learn more about this program.
About the Program Pennsylvania Business Week is the first in-school program of its kind in the United States.
Developed by the Manufacturer’s Association of Northwest Pennsylvania in conjunction with Fort LeBoeuf High School in late 1997, PBW is designed for high school students who are divided
into management teams that run their own companies through a computer simulation. The students run the companies for 12 business quarters, making all managerial decisions
including pricing, marketing, production, research & development, human resources and the like. PBW is a week long program in high
schools; all day, every day. Student presentations to judges are required at the end of the week, and the program culminates in five competitions: Advertising, Stockholders, Trade
Show, Return on Net Assets and Top Company.
Why an In-School Program?
Economics education is not a required course of study in the Pennsylvania public education system. As a result, high school students are being graduated without any understanding of how their American
economic system functions and how they play a critical role in participating in, and preserving, that system. Pennsylvania Business Week provides ALL students with an opportunity to learn this vital
information by taking the program directly to the students - in their own classrooms.
BUSINESS ADVISORS
are needed to assist students in running their company; business advisors
and teachers partner in the classroom. Each student company is assigned a volunteer from the business community to offer guidance and assistance for the week. These professionals hold the most important
role of the program because they not only guide the students as they run their companies, but they act as role models.
SPEAKERS knowledgeable in business ethics,
money, banking, investments, marketing, manufacturing and the like offer their expertise to students and educators.
JUDGES experienced in accounting, advertising, banking, and related fields set the
standards in student presentation competitions at the end of the week.
DONATIONS of student prizes and awards, program supplies, and funds necessary
to conduct such an intensive educational experience are vitally important and gratefully accepted. Donate now.
RECYCLE FOR BUSINESS WEEK by saving used printer cartridges and old cell
phones and donating them to ACES. Learn more.
What They're Saying About PBW "I am being flooded with compliments from all over the
community. Rest assured I will be a great ambassador for Business Week wherever I go."
John Sarandrea Principal, New Castle High School
"I learned about the pressure placed on CEO's and
how costly bad decisions can be." Ricky Peck
Student, Fort LeBoeuf High School
"I found the program well worth the investment of time and resources to give our students a
unique experience in what to expect in the world of business." Shirley A. King
Summit Township Supervisor
"Business Week was the most effective educational experience that I have ever seen in any
school." Arthur Bergamasco
Principal, Fort LeBoeuf High School (deceased 2002)
"My time is extremely valuable, yet I've given three weeks of my life to this program. It works; it is worthwhile; I urge you to get involved." Scott Lee
CEO, Thomas Lee Printing & Mailing
"We feel we have succeeded no matter if we win or lose (the PBW competition). Thank you so much for helping us feel this way and to show that we can do something no matter how
extreme, as long as we all work together." Vicky Iocobozzi
Student, Strong Vincent High School
Pennsylvania Business Week is the first in-school program of its kind in the United States.
Developed by the Manufacturer’s Association of Northwest Pennsylvania in conjunction with Fort LeBoeuf High School in late 1997, PBW is designed for high school students who are divided
into management teams that run their own companies through a computer simulation. The students run the companies for 12 business quarters, making all managerial decisions
including pricing, marketing, production, research & development, human resources and the like. PBW is a week long program in high
schools; all day, every day. Student presentations to judges are required at the end of the week, and the program culminates in five competitions: Advertising, Stockholders, Trade
Show, Return on Net Assets and Top Company. 
Economics education is not a required course of study in the Pennsylvania public education system. As a result, high school students are being graduated without any understanding of how their American
economic system functions and how they play a critical role in participating in, and preserving, that system. Pennsylvania Business Week provides ALL students with an opportunity to learn this vital
information by taking the program directly to the students - in their own classrooms.
BUSINESS ADVISORS
are needed to assist students in running their company; business advisors
and teachers partner in the classroom. Each student company is assigned a volunteer from the business community to offer guidance and assistance for the week. These professionals hold the most important
role of the program because they not only guide the students as they run their companies, but they act as role models.
"I am being flooded with compliments from all over the
community. Rest assured I will be a great ambassador for Business Week wherever I go."