Students of several public schools were awarded prizes for standout performances in a financial literacy and coded simulation contest.

The primary and middle school students were tasked with completing projects over a period of time in the Connectech Coding’s Zillion Dollar Island competition which concluded recently.

The students were drawn from St David’s Primary, Somerset Primary, Francis Patton Primary and Whitney Institute.

The primary school students were tasked with completing a 12-week project while the middle school students of the Whitney Institute completed their project during a fast-paced two-day workshop.

“No matter the level, the challenge was clear: build a booming economy and keep it from crashing,” the organisers said.

The primary title became an exciting P5 showdown, filled with determination right to the finish line.

In the primary school category, Francis Patton Primary and runner-up St David’s Primary celebrated a 100 per cent real estate purchase rate, with each student becoming a proud property owner.

While the St David’s students managed to surpass the set requirements, Francis Patton raised the bar as the students achieved four properties over the minimum and still pushed for more.

“Refusing to settle, the class collaborated, proposed a winning idea, earned bonus cash, and triumphantly secured a fifth property,” the organisers said.

Somerset Primary students joined the winners’ circle in third place.

In the end, the Francis Patton students boasted the competition’s strongest economy, filling its classrooms with future business leaders, organisers said.

In the middle school category, lone participant Whitney Institute’s Year 9 class made their mark with enthusiasm and innovation.

“Their dynamic two-day workshop brought real-world excitement,” organisers said.

They created mock interviews, business pitches, hands-on fraud awareness, gave cybersecurity tips, and focused on building sustainable communities, while aiming for the coveted real estate goal.

“Faced with challenges, the students showed spirit,” the organisers said.

Coral Wells, executive director and founder of Connectech Coding, said: “When we meet Bermuda’s children where they are and gamify Stem, learning sticks.

“Spark their creativity, encourage their curiosity, and you cultivate critical thinking, one of the best gifts you can give a child.

“Zillion Dollar Island shows what is possible when financial literacy and coding feel like play.

“These students did not just study the lessons; they lived them, and that is the kind of positive impact that lasts far beyond the classroom.”

The organisers said the students walked away with “real skills” such as budgeting, saving, investing, coding, managing risk, and handling inflation when it hit their wallets.