Products and Performances

 

Product or Service Idea

The first stage of the project is for groups to determine what product or service they will sell.  The class will look at a list of ideas selected by the teacher and think of new possible ideas.  Each group will then decide on 3 to 4 ideas to evaluate.  Group members will collaborate using a mind mapping/brainstorming tool such as those referred to in Tools & Resources.  The groups will determine the pros and cons of each idea and use this to make a selection.  Each group will do an informal presentation to the rest of the class on why they decided on the particular idea.

 

Business Plan

This is the meat of the project.  The business plan is what helps students secure funding for the remainder of their project.  A poorly executed plan means no business. 

Begin by showing students a well-executed and exciting business plan like some of those from the television show "Shark Tank."  Lead students in a discussion about the presentation.  Did it make them want to invest in the project?  Did they believe the person would be successful? What made them think the way they did?  Show students the "Business Plan Template" and "Business Plan Rubric" and discuss them.  Let students begin working with their team by collaborating on the "Business Plan Template" in Google Docs.

Upon completion of the plan and review with the teacher, the team will next collaborate on creating a presentation which they will use to secure funding from investors.  Prior to the final presentation, teams should practice in front of the class to get peer feedback and then make final adjustments to their presentation before making their final presentation to investors.

**A lot of teacher leg-work is needed prior to this.  I think the experience may be more meaningful to students if they can use real money to start their business.  The teacher (or possibly a class of older students) should act as the bankers. I recommend talking to local business owners to organize a day when they can come and listen to the presentation plans and donate by investing in these startup businesses.  

 

Creation of Product or Service

At this stage of the project, teams will demonstrate their ability to work together by creating the product or developing the plan to offer their service.  They will work together to determine the most efficient and effective way to complete the task and then complete it.

**There is too much potential for the mishandling of money here, so the teacher should purchase the materials for each group's product or service.

 

Advertisement

Break groups down into smaller teams to tackle the advertising.  Each business should create both a poster and a video commercial to advertise the sale of their product.  The commercials will be played on the video announcements and in the cafeteria during lunch.  Posters will be hung in the halls.

 

Sales

During the sales stage of the project, groups will setup during the school lunch periods to sell their product or offer their service.  Students will be observed for their customer relation skills using a customer survey from Google Forms.

 

Final Analysis

Throughout the project, groups will track their finances using a Google Spreadsheet.  At the end of the project each group will use the financial data to determine their profit or losses.  They can then use the data to project potential profit if the project were to continue and create graphs and charts to share with their investors.

 

Culminating Activity - Presentation to Investors

The final project will be a short presentation to investors and parents about the business.  Each team will communicate their financial data through a presentation of charts and graphs.  The teams will present what they have learned through the experience and how they would improve their business if they were to continue.

 

 

 

Reflection Methods

 

Reflection on Sub-Questions

Each of the sub-questions under the Driving Question will be used to lead a pre and post reflection about what students already know about the topic.  The questions will be addressed through oral discussions, online discussion forums, or a reflection journal.

 

Business Plan Team Progress Exit Card

This half sheet will be completed at the end of each day working on the business plan and presentation.  It will help the groups and teacher track progress and take care of questions or concerns groups run into.

 

Reflect on practice presentation

Each group will schedule a team meeting with the teacher to reflect on the "Peer Review of Practice Presentation."  The teacher will lead students into a discussion about what worked, what didn't, and how to make changes to create a powerful presentation to investors.

 

Product / Service Reflection

Using Voice Thread, each group will respond to the prompt "What has your group found works the best for accomplishing your goal?"  Other groups will be able to listen to the various strategies, which may assist in accomplishing their goal.

 

Advertising Discussion

Prior to groups working on their advertisements, lead the class in a discussion about advertisements they see on TV, magazines, billboards, etc. Reflect on what makes these advertisements work or not.  Does it make you want to buy the product?  What did they do that worked or didn't?  Was it effective?  Do you remember the product?  

 

Final Reflection

Self Reflection:

What did you learn about yourself through this process?  Are you cut out for entrepreneurship?  What did you learn about entrepreneurship that you didn't know before?

Project Reflection: 

What do you feel worked well in this project?

What did not work well?

How would you change this project if you were the teacher?