ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AT THE MIDDLE LEVELs Liz Bland Holt Middle School – Fayetteville liz.bland@fayar.net

Benefits of Entrepreneurship Education Improved Student Performance Increased initiative Increased self-confidence Improved school performance More ambitious goals for life after school Upgraded School Performance Less likely to be truant or drop out of school Encourages youth to employ sophisticated math and science concepts in real-life situations Greater interest and improved performance in math and science From Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education and Small Business Administration via AEAF

Benefits of Entrepreneurship Education Enhanced Economic Competitiveness More likely to start, sustain, and grow a business Promote future economic growth Contribute to job creation increase wealth generation Studies from Philadelphia’s high school system show that at-risk students enrolled in entrepreneurship education have better attendance, have higher grades in Math and English, and are more likely to graduate. From Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education and Small Business Administration via AEAF

Explore the Projects

Brainstorming

Brainstorming

Brainstorming

Grouping

Group Norms

Evaluations

Kids in Action!

Competition Show Examples Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation www.aeafoundation.com Y.E.S. – Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase 36 groups in my classes 5 entered into statewide competition * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 174 business plans submitted statewide 26 semifinalists 2 groups from my school! – Shnibiti Bags and Smart Pillow

Worker Bees

Showcase!

Showcase!

Student Feedback “I learned how to use borders and format pictures. I had no previous knowledge of the business procedures and documents that were necessary in starting a business. This project will help me in the future to make my other projects more professional.” Jacob P. “I learned how to do math even better than before. Now I can put that in every day life.” -Dominique W. “I learned a lot from this project. It was cool to use the cool logos from that website. I even used one on a project in Learning Tools” - David F.

Student Feedback “I also learned how to communicate with a team better. I learned this by telling my team my ideas instead of just sitting there” -Dylan S. “From what I learned in this project I know that being an entrepreneur is a lot of work. I respect them a lot more than I used to.” Hayes K. “I loved everything about it. I thought our teacher treated us like adults. Also, this project let us know what all the stuff you have to do when you’re older.” -Sarah

Student Feedback In a post-project evaluation survey: 102 students indicated that they had a better understanding of how business work now 90% of students reported that they had a better understanding of how to use Microsoft Word features to format documents 34 indicated that they are more likely to become entrepreneurs in the future than they were before the project!!

Keyboarding Frameworks Formatting text Formatting paragraphs Formatting page setup Proofreading Marks/editing Punctuation spacing Tab settings Practicing alpha-numeric touch typing

Common Core - Writing Text Types and Purposes1 1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. 2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content. 3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences. Production and Distribution of Writing 4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. 5. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

Common Core - Writing 6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others. Research to Build and Present Knowledge 7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. 8. Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism. 9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. Range of Writing 10. Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.

Questions? Grant Info: $100,000 grant from Economics Arkansas to fund business related projects in Arkansas What's available? Economics Arkansas is offering match funding to Arkansas economics/business projects requesting $600 or less in materials. Through donorschoose.org Y.E.S. Competition Info – www.aeafoundation.com Contact me – liz.bland@fayar.net