Marshall Middle School students learn financial literacy

Marshall Middle School launched a new program that uses music and a video game to help students learn about money and finances.

According to a press release, the RockIt! program — sponsored by Capital One Bank, the Harris Foundation, the Federal Reserve and mobile gaming company Game Truck Licensing, LLC — will challenge students to create a rock band using simulated money they obtain through playing the video game "Guitar Hero."

"The students work in different teams to form a band and then determine what kind of costs and what types of revenue they can generate through a simulated process," Laurie Vignaud of Capital One Bank said in the release. "They will learn everything from balancing a checkbook and managing money to checking their credit score and running a small business."

The 50 participating seventh-grade students will also make a music video, trying to win a contract with a major record label.

"The gaming is what gets the kids' attention, but the thing we are most pleased about is the foundation of economic material they get," David Bowers of Federal Reserve Bank said in the release.

With the success of the current program, Capital One and the Harris Foundation hope to expand it to other schools in the spring.

"We believe the way to improve the financial skills of all Americans is through our children," Bernard Harris, founder of the Harris Foundation, said in the release.

"I am very excited about this program and I can't wait to see who wins," Marshall Middle School Principal Michael Harrison said in the release.

For more information about Marshall Middle School, located at 1115 Noble St. in Houston, visit marshallcatamounts.org.