1. Generation E Institute Prepared for Consortium Conference November 2-7, 2007

3. Makes Me Think of: How to Develop an Educator’s Creative Mindset

4. Interests, Talents and Abilities

5. Activity Take as many sheets as you think you will need for this activity. Write down an interest, talent, or ability one on each sheet of paper. You must write on each sheet.

6. Resource List Go around the room and ask for one thing from each person’s list. Write them on an easel pad and post it in the room. Conclusion: you have compiled a list of business possibilities.

8. What Could it Be? Select six to ten items that are commonly found around the house or classroom. Display them on a table for students to view. Instruction: partner with one person, select an item, write down as many things as you can think of that the item could become. It cannot be used as it is.

9. Brainstorming To be effective, brainstorming rules must be followed: 1. All ideas are accepted and written down. 2. There are no bad ideas. 3. Do not discuss or make comments about an idea, just write it down. 4. This is an opportunity for all to participate because no one will pass judgment on an idea.

10. Guidelines The item cannot be used in its original form. You may add to it. You may change its size, shape, color, etc. Refer to the list of interests, talents and abilities for ideas.

11. Example A Match Box This item was changed as follows: It was made bigger, 8” x 10” Instead of a sliding box it had a door It was made into a portable microwave that operates with energy from a car’s lighter. It is large enough to heat a cup or coffee or a small sandwich.

12. Conclusion The group brainstorms ideas. Through a process of discussion they adjust, alter, add, eliminate, etc. until they settle on an idea that is marketable. Interests, talents and abilities are used as a base to develop a product idea. Students are the decision makers, the educator is the facilitator.

14. Makes Me Think Of….. The purpose of this activity is to take a broad idea and work it down to a smaller, workable business idea.

15. Makes Me Think of

16. Business Ideas This activity leads students to develop workable business ideas Utilizes interests, talents and abilities Teaches to look for opportunities Teaches to look for a need

17. Entrepreneurial Mindset Entrepreneurship in schools K – 12 Entrepreneurial/ intrapreneurial mindset Business, Marketing, Entrepreneurship classes Technology and Career Centers

18. Teaching Success: New Directions in Entrepreneurial Education High School Curriculum Discovering interests and idea generating Developing entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial skills Understanding marketing, financing and business operations Business plan development and presentations Operating business/service

19. Class Participation

20. High School Curriculum 18 weeks (semester) in marketing, business and entrepreneurship classes “Drop-in” curriculum in technology and career centers Community programs “This curriculum gave my program a whole new reason to exist.” Quote from a career center teacher.

21. Curriculum Alignment National Content Standards and Benchmarks Michigan Career and Employability Content Standards and Benchmarks Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education recognition as example of Best Practice Education

22. School Expos

24. New York Times Jan 26, 2006 Schools don’t teach the same way children learn…Children seem to learn best when they can explore the world and interact with expert adults.

25. Generation E Showcase 2007 Award Winners

26. Interest to Business

27. Talents to Business

28. Abilities to Business

29. Summer Camp: Recycled Products

30. What Does Your Community Need? Retail or service business Industrial/manufacturing Software development Internet High-tech Arts All can be done from most any location; why not in your community?

31. Entrepreneurship Education is a Lifelong Learning Process Entrepreneurs are not “Born”…. They “Become” Through the Experiences of their Lives! Professor Albert Shapero, Ohio State University

32. What is the Generation E Institute? (GENEI) Nonprofit Design and Write Entrepreneurial/ Intrapreneurial Curricula Train Educators and Mentors Establish and Integrate Community Connections Provide long-term support for youth entrepreneurship education

33. Contact Information The Generation E Institute (GENEI) 4950 W. Dickman Rd. Suite B5 Battle Creek, MI 49015 (269) 441-1238 (269) 441-1239 fax (800) 925-4314 Cheryl Peters, Director cherylp@genei.org www.genei.org