The Entrepreneurship program is one of Bullis’ new signature programs program introduced this year, offering students the opportunity to develop business expertise and acumen through the innovation of their own ideas.
Along with regular classes to learn business concepts and professional speakers visiting campus to share their experiences, students in the Entrepreneurship Capstone class are developing business ideas into a marketable product or service.
“The goal is to teach the students how to build real business models, and learn about things like cost structures, revenue streams, and interacting with customers,” Entrepreneurship Coordinator Marc Steren explained. “By making their own product, they will function as a real business.”
Assisting the students in their ventures are a group of professional mentors (some of whom are Bullis alumni) who are meeting with their groups throughout the year to guide, troubleshoot and encourage the students as they take their ideas from concept to market. At the end of the school year, the students will present their business plans to a Bullis version of the popular Shark Tank TV show, made up of Mr. Steren, Head of School Dr. Gerald L. Boarman and the mentors. The winning concept will receive $10,000 in seed money to further develop and launch their business.
I run a similar program as an after-school seminar at the American School of Paris. It is a great concept that can potentially take students in surprising and exciting directions (i.e., Social Entrepreneurship ideas that help the school, local or global community).
Sonoma Country Day School has a entrepreneurial studies strand to our curriculum for all students, K-8. All students in grade 8 are responsible for independently designing and carrying out a social entrepreneurship project in the community as part of our graduation requirements. Students who want to learn more about business entrepreneurship can participate in our entrepreneurship club and a student-run business on campus. Next Friday, we will host our first ever entrepreneur fair, where students can market products they have created.
I built an entrepreneurship program at Dunn School in Los Olivos CA. I use Steve Blank’s Lean Launchpad method to get my students talking to customers and creating MVPS quickly. I’d love to connect with anyone who is passionate about teaching entrepreneurship at the high school and middle school level.