Mini Economy - FREE Teacher Training - Earn $500

Description

The purpose of this program is to introduce 6^th through 12^th grade students to entrepreneurship.  Entrepreneurship is a way of thinking that has the ability to recognize problems, analyze creative solutions, and then build a business that solves that problem. Youth can and do start businesses.  They also grow them to be successful long term enterprises.  Future CEO Stars magazine is full of examples http://www.fcsmag.com.  

This program is being sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Cameron University’s Center for Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (CETES), Chisholm Trail RC&D, Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation (DAEDF), Red River Technology Center (RRTC) and Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma (REI).

 The program has two parts:

    The first part is training for teachers at the 6-12 grade level in the Mini Economy program.  This program is developed and taught by the Oklahoma Council for Economic Education. (OCEE).  The training will be held at a central location for participating schools. A substitute will be provided at no cost to the school for the teachers that participate.  Teaching materials for the program will also be provided at no cost. One teacher from each school will be required to hold a three day Mini Economy summer program for all interested students in your school district.  This summer program will need to be completed by June 10th.  A $500 stipend will be given to each teacher that facilitates a summer program. Partnering with business leaders in the community is recommended. We are confident once this program is taught the teacher will be enthusiastic about incorporating the program into their classroom for all students during the school year.  Many teachers do this activity after testing is over at the end of the year. 

    The second part is an entrepreneurship competition held by CETES.  This is open to all interested participants of any age.  The winners will be awarded money and resources to help start their business.  The competition will be held in three phases throughout the summer and will conclude on August 2^nd.  Classes, mentors and informational sessions will be provided at no cost.  They are not mandatory but will be available to everyone in the competition.  All classes and information will be available online as well as at CETES.  Anyone with computer access can participate they will not have to travel to CETES.

The Oklahoma Council on Economic Education

The Oklahoma Council on Economic Education has a wonderful website with lesson plans that meet the Financial Literacy state objectives. This site is designed for classroom teachers implementing HB 1476: Oklahoma’s Passport to Financial Literacy. Included on this site is a listing of teacher resources for the 14 areas of instruction required for high school graduation.  This link provides more information: http://www.moneyisok.com/index.html. Other teacher workshops are also on this website.

Please contact me ASAP if you are interested in participating in this program.  We need 10 teacher commitments in order to establish a date and place for the training.  We would like to conduct the training after Spring Break.

Benefits of K-12 Entrepreneurship Education

Christy Elkins – Rural Development Specialist - OK Department of Commerce

 405-596-0080 or Christy_Elkins@okcommerce.gov

What is the purpose of Education?  I think it is to prepare students for the World of Work.  So what does work look like in the 21^st Century?

    About 1 in 9 U.S. workers are self-employed.  This means entrepreneurship is one of the top 10 careers.  Source:  Labor Bureau Study, 2010 

    One-third of the U.S. workforce is now composed of non-traditional “contract” workers, sometimes referred to as freelancers, free agents, contingent workers or temps.  This number will continue to grow.  Source: The Human Capital Institute, 2010

What is the purpose of Economic Development?  The goal is to bring more wealth into the community.  There is a direct link between entrepreneurship and the wealth of nations.  Source: www.sirolli.com Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Their Role in the Economy

      Nationally, there are only about 200 deals a year that bring 200+ jobs into a community; the problem is, there are 36,000 economic development teams going after those 200 deals.  These odds are not promising.  The good news is: approximately 80% of all new job creation comes from companies that are already established in the community.  If we want to increase jobs in our community – “we need to grow our own entrepreneurs”.  Therefore, it makes sense to spend our dollars and time on developing our own local entrepreneur pipeline.  Source:  David Wood, Bartlesville Dev. Corp. December 7, 2010

      In 1960, agriculture made up 15% of Oklahoma’s rural employment.  By 2008 that figure had dropped to only 5%.  The rural businesses that are growing jobs are in the wholesale, retail, and service industries.

(Source:  Kyle Dean – Associate Director - OSU Center for Applied Economic Research)

      Challenge students to have a Dream that Matters; teach them to think; and allow them to fail.  Kids learn in different ways but generally we all learn best when we use the experiential model. (experience, share, process and apply)

    Allow students to use their strengths and engage them in project based activities such as Mini Economy where they develop a self-organizing economic society, identify opportunities in their environment and initiate entrepreneurship ventures to provide goods and services to their fellow citizens.  These activities are fun and the curriculum integrates Oklahoma PASS requirements for language arts, math and social studies and fits within the criteria for 21st Century grants.

    Provide funding, support and encouragement to the young entrepreneurs who want to earn money by providing a service to the community or making things to sell.  The Warren Buffett’s and Bill Gates of the world all started working and running a business when they were children. 

    A Gallop Poll found that Wellbeing, Hope and Engagement are better predictors of success in life than test scores.

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