The document proposes an after-school program called "Teaching Possibility" that brings local entrepreneurs into high schools in Melrose to mentor students and nurture their business ideas. The program would consist of 3 parts: 1) educating students about entrepreneurship, 2) providing resources for developing business ideas, and 3) sponsoring a competition to select the best ideas to receive further support. The goal is to give students skills and guidance to develop their concepts into formal business models that could be presented to incubators. Local business owners would serve as mentors, storytellers, and advocates for the students' ideas. The school would host the program and help publicize students' work.
1. Public & Collaborative NYC presents
Teaching Possibility
supporting business ideas of youth
from start to finish
Christopher Patten on [ Social Entrepreneurship ]
2. Problems and Opportunities
In Melrose, high-school students have limited
opportunities to after school programs,
libraries, or other learning services.
How might we design an after-school
curriculum that brings local entrepreneurs
into the classroom to share their
experiences?
4. Service Idea
Local entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and experienced
business people from Melrose engage in an after school
curriculum that consists of three parts:
1) bring about an awareness of entrepreneurship in
general, so that business ideas with potential are
recognized and
2) give students an awareness of where to turn for the
support needed to take the
next step in the venture creative process.
3) sponsor a competition that selects the best idea or
ideas and takes them to the next level or development
(funding).
6. Expected Outcomes
Teaching Possibility brings together local entrepreneurs and
students to nurture the business ideas of young people, but also
to give them the knowledge and skillset to take their ideas from
concept to a professional, revised business model that can be
presented to business incubators and other entities that exist to
take these ideas to the next level.
7. Main Actors
Local Business Young Public
Owners Entrepreneurs Schools
Mentor Dreamer Supporter
Role ●
● Storyteller
●
● Advocate
●
● Protector
● Confidant ● Celebrity ● Organizer
Image for personal business Competition Future of Melrose
Motivation ●
● Chance to interact with Melrose
●
● Financial power
●
● Image of school
● Chance to impact the future ● Community respect and pride ● Sense of student belonging
Share personal experiences Unique skillsets Provider of space
Capabilities ●
● Critically discuss concepts
●
● Passion
●
● Cataloging ideas
● Encourage strong concepts ● Fearlessness ● Documenting work
● Encourage business in Melrose ● Time ● Publicity/Communication