Kaliya Burns isn’t sure what she wants to do when she grows up, but she might pursue forensic science.

“I know a lot about forensics,” she said. “I like ‘Law and Order.’”

Only a sixth grader, Burns hasn’t gotten to explore this field yet. But thanks to Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South, she did recently experience what it was like to lead one of Memphis’ largest research and medical institutions: the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Burns and her classmates at the Maxine Smith STEAM Academy recently spent the day at the nonprofit’s Wang Experiential Learning Center, which has its own mini Memphis-like city complete with a Hernando DeSoto Bridge backdrop, a carpeted river and storefronts representing major local organizations: UTHSC, First Horizon, FedEx, International Paper, AutoZone, Smith and Nephew, Terminix, Baptist Memorial Healthcare and Regions Bank, among others.

Called JA BizTown, it’s run by fifth- or sixth-grade students visiting for the day, and when they arrive, one fills the role of mayor while others staff the storefronts. Each has a CEO and CFO as well as positions that fit the mission of the business or institution.

UTHSC’s storefront, for example, has a researcher while AutoZone’s has a sales manager, International Paper’s has a plant manager and Cumulus Media’s has a DJ.
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