OBJECTIVE:
Students will collaborate with a partner to develop and present a comprehensive business concept, including identifying a problem, defining a target customer, and proposing a product or service that provides a solution.
MATERIALS:
REQUIRED PREP:
Transform your room – Next Gen sessions should be different from typical classes — change the room’s seating order, and get ready for your first session!
Opening Huddle
Opening Huddle: Feel free to play music to generate energy and set the vibe!
Opening Ritual: Conduct your opening ritual!
Mood Check: Gather the students into a circle (standing or sitting – keep comfort in mind)!
Activity 1: “If I Owned It…”
Purpose:
Gets students thinking like business owners and problem solvers.
Students think about businesses they already know.
Prompt:
“If you owned this business, what would you change?”
Steps:
- Name a well-known business (Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Nike, etc.).
- Students turn to someone near them.
- Each person shares one thing they would improve or change.
Activity 2: What Makes a Good Business?
Activities:
- Discuss businesses students visited on exposure experiences
- Identify a list of problems businesses solve
- Introduce the project
Cohort Leader: Share with students the following, “For the next few weeks, you will work in a group of 2-3 people to create a startup business concept inspired by problems or gaps you’ve observed during exposure experiences. At the end, your group will present a business plan and investor-style pitch to the Next Gen Shark Tank Panel. The business that is ranked #1, each member will receive a gift card of their choice.
Partner Activity: Students brainstorm 3 problems they’ve noticed in school, community, or businesses visited.
Deliverable:
Based on the list of problems, create a list of 3 potential business ideas that could solve those problems
Closing Huddle:
End by collectively performing your exit ritual! Remind students of the next session!
