Explore youth entrepreneurship during Lights On Afterschool

By Scott Mann, director of education and training at VentureLab.

Entrepreneurship. It’s not just about starting a business, it’s a way of thinking and doing, a mindset and a set of skills that youth need for success in school right now, in their future careers, and in life.

With entrepreneurial learning, youth can focus on ideas and issues that are important to them. They are given the opportunity and the structure to come up with an idea, develop it then create it. It’s a process they are in charge of.

Shawn, an 8 year old in a VentureLab entrepreneurship program actively observed and empathized, “My friend is always getting into trouble at school. He walks around the classroom and talks to people without the teacher’s permission. When I ask him why, he tells me he’s just bored. I want to help him stay out of trouble.”

Shawn used his imagination to create possible solutions, carried out market research to find similar products, and developed and tested prototypes. He persevered and applied his growth mindset as he refined a prototype over several rounds of feedback. Each iteration brought him closer to his goal of helping his friend stay out of trouble. He then courageously pitched the idea to his peers.

Shawn’s idea: Transformer Desk - A functional school desk and chair combo with features such as: voice activated assistant, padded chair and extra storage.. It then transforms into… an operating jet! The occupant can fly safely to and from school. Not realistic you say? Maybe Shawn is just ahead of his time?  Creativity is one of the top employability skills according to a recent World Economic Forum report. Entrepreneurship education allows for creative play and imagination.

Implementing entrepreneurial learning in our summer and afterschool programs gives youth, like Shawn, the structure and space to not only imagine, but create their own future. That’s empowerment!

Education Venture Lab, Young Entrepreneur Institute (YEI) and the Ohio Afterschool Network (OAN) are excited to help youth explore entrepreneurship during Lights On Afterschool with a special youth entrepreneur pitch activity October 21 at 5 p.m. ET! Give youth a memorable experience in youth entrepreneurship before the event that will have them asking for more! Visit the Wacky Invention Challenge on Padlet to find instructions and video. Share your student's ideas with other programs from around the nation. Ideas shared on the Padlet will be shown during the live session.

Then, at 5 p.m. ET log in for a live panel with Session Moderator, Scott Mann, Director of Education VentureLab, where young entrepreneurs will speak on a panel discussing all things entrepreneurship, including mindsets, process, business, and more.

Register to join us October 21 at 5 p.m.!

Entrepreneurial Education:     

• creates foundational learning experiences for youth and adults to practice and build 21st Century mindsets and skills
• reinforces academic programs to help students meet state and local achievement standards
• allows youth to apply STEM + Art ideas in real-world situations (ESTEAM)
• prepares youth for careers where creativity and emotional intelligence are needed
• supports and strengthen social and emotional development

For more information and resources to implement entrepreneurial learning, visit venturelab.org.