For the past few weeks, a group of budding entrepreneurs at Marticville Middle School has been putting its creativity and teamwork to the test. Students in Elizabeth Ortega's autism support classroom have embraced the role of small business owners, preparing for their debut at the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13's Holiday Student Bazaar. Operating under the name The Spectrum Studio, these young creators have crafted a collection of one-of-a-kind handmade keychains and vibrant tie-dyed T-shirts, all ready for sale at the event on Thursday, Dec. 5. The bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the IU13 Conference and Training Center, 1020 New Holland Ave., Lancaster.

Several of the seven students in the class are nonverbal, but they use pictures and communication devices to share their enthusiasm for their projects. Pointing to the beaded keychains, Zayvion Jones showed off his favorites, while Nesha Hopstetter said she loves making keychains from silicone beads and shrinky dinks.

As they string the beads and color the keychains, they are doing much more than just making crafts.

"There are so many good skills they learn from this," Ortega said. "They learn to handle the money, work on the budgeting and prepare all the items."

Participating in the bazaar is the perfect fit for student Cole Hartman, who was hard at work making a SpongeBob SquarePants design. He's been practicing his favorite school subject in preparation for helping to run the business. "I like to do math," he said. "It's fun."

Ortega's students will be among hundreds throughout Lancaster County who will offer their homemade items for sale at the bazaar.

"We have well over 300 participants and approximately 40 mini businesses," said Doreen Unton, coordinator of job training services for the IU13, who noted that a similar event is held in November in Lebanon County. "We set up the Conference and Training Center using the perimeter of the room and three rectangle groups so that customers can walk around easily to see merchandise. ... It is usually loud and busy but happy!"

The bazaar began after the IU13 established a grant program to support teachers in setting up classroom mini businesses, she said.

"The primary goal of a mini business is to teach students job skills, social awareness and work ethics in a practical, class-based setting," Unton explained. "By managing a classroom business, teachers can provide direct instruction on work responsibilities, specific job skills, production processes, quality standards and employability skills. ... Running a mini business offers students valuable insights into business operations and entrepreneurship. Each experience, including facing low sales, becomes a learning opportunity."

Unton noted that the bazaar is a win-win for both shoppers and students. "As a customer, from the moment you walk into the building on the day of the bazaar, there is an energy and buzz of excitement," she shared. "Students are smiling and telling you all about the craft they made, and shoppers are happy to browse for treasures. The events have also become a reunion of sort for past students and staff. People are hugging, laughing and engaging with the students. It's a wonderful atmosphere, and I guarantee that visitors will leave the event with a smile, full heart and lots of goodies!"

For the students and staff, the event represents the culmination of their hard work. "Now they get to set up their display of crafts and sell them to customers," Unton said. "They get to practice social skills, sales skills, math and so much more. And they get to do a little shopping at the other vendors."

Sales from the mini businesses directly benefit the classroom, with funds used for student incentives, donations to charitable causes or even unique initiatives such as a class sponsorship of an Alaskan Iditarod dog race team.

Proceeds from The Spectrum Studio will be used to fund community-based outings and field trips.

"I'd like them to go to a restaurant, practice ordering their own food and paying for their own food," Ortega shared. "We want to go bowling or go to the movies. We want to give them opportunities to practice those kinds of skills."

Unton encourages people to visit the bazaar to pick up one-of-a-kind items and see the students in action. "Ask them what they made and how they made it," she said. "If you purchase something, allow them to test their math skills and customer service skills. Oftentimes students blossom in this environment when they are outside the classroom and can interact with people. ... By attending, you will help reinforce and demonstrate public support for our local area students and make the event impactful and memorable for them and their teachers."

For more information on the bazaar, visit http://www.iu13.org and go to "All Events" under the "Events, Workshops & Classes" tab.