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Ask HN: I'm Talking to a High School Class about Entrepreneurship

5 points by ValG 14y ago

What are critical points to hit to make it relevant to them?

whichdan 14y ago
Since they'll most likely be sleep-deprived and bored, how about something interactive? You could have them all split up into groups of 1-3 people and brainstorm business ideas for 10 minutes, and then as a whole class, spend 3-5 minutes discussing whether each idea is viable. This would give you plenty of chances to speak on certain topics without it being an hour of soapboxing.
- keiferski 14y ago
  I agree completely. Don't try to teach about business via academic abstractions. Come up with a project that allows you to explain basic concepts. Also, I highly recommend the book "Accounting Fresh from the Lemonade Stand". It uses the story of a lemonade stand (in which the reader is the owner) to explain accounting concepts. It's extremely effective and much more interesting than a typical textbook on the subject.
- ValG 14y ago
  Great Idea whichdan, the interactive route is definitely the way to go.
jjets718 14y ago
Hi, OP! I'm currently a senior in high school, and I am also very interested in entrepreneurship (created and am now marketing http://www.pillsoftware.com http://www.pillsoftware.com). What really sparked my interest in startups and technology was how technology can have a huge impact on others' lives and be very profitable at the same time. I like whichdan's idea of having the class split into groups and brainstorm business ideas, and then coming back together to discuss the ideas. I also think it is important to stress that starting a business involves a lot of hard work, and that the media might portray certain businesses that seem to find success very quickly, but in reality it's a long process on the road to success.
- ValG 14y ago
  Thanks jjets, I'm going to make sure to highlight both of those facts, the ability to make a huge impact (and money), but also how hard it really is.
alid 14y ago
What a great opportunity! If you can show a video, the Apple 'Think Different' ad would make an inspired intro: http://youtu.be/4oAB83Z1ydE http://youtu.be/4oAB83Z1ydE A fun activity could be to get them into groups, and get them to look at a certain product or issue through an 'Entrepreneurial Lens' - How can we make this better? How could we reach customers? You could have them fill out a lean canvas with their ideas :)
helen842000 14y ago
That they need to have an output for their ideas (coding, writing, designing, audio etc) To become a successful entrepreneur you have to push your ideas into a creative outlet. The more they master a route to producing/shipping the easier it is to get feedback & achieve recognition,sales,profit & ulitmately success.

5 points by ValG 14y ago

What are critical points to hit to make it relevant to them?

Since they'll most likely be sleep-deprived and bored, how about something interactive? You could have them all split up into groups of 1-3 people and brainstorm business ideas for 10 minutes, and then as a whole class, spend 3-5 minutes discussing whether each idea is viable. This would give you plenty of chances to speak on certain topics without it being an hour of soapboxing.

keiferski 14y ago
I agree completely. Don't try to teach about business via academic abstractions. Come up with a project that allows you to explain basic concepts. Also, I highly recommend the book "Accounting Fresh from the Lemonade Stand". It uses the story of a lemonade stand (in which the reader is the owner) to explain accounting concepts. It's extremely effective and much more interesting than a typical textbook on the subject.
ValG 14y ago
Great Idea whichdan, the interactive route is definitely the way to go.

jjets718 14y ago

Hi, OP! I'm currently a senior in high school, and I am also very interested in entrepreneurship (created and am now marketing http://www.pillsoftware.com http://www.pillsoftware.com). What really sparked my interest in startups and technology was how technology can have a huge impact on others' lives and be very profitable at the same time. I like whichdan's idea of having the class split into groups and brainstorm business ideas, and then coming back together to discuss the ideas. I also think it is important to stress that starting a business involves a lot of hard work, and that the media might portray certain businesses that seem to find success very quickly, but in reality it's a long process on the road to success.

ValG 14y ago
Thanks jjets, I'm going to make sure to highlight both of those facts, the ability to make a huge impact (and money), but also how hard it really is.

alid 14y ago

What a great opportunity! If you can show a video, the Apple 'Think Different' ad would make an inspired intro: http://youtu.be/4oAB83Z1ydE http://youtu.be/4oAB83Z1ydE A fun activity could be to get them into groups, and get them to look at a certain product or issue through an 'Entrepreneurial Lens' - How can we make this better? How could we reach customers? You could have them fill out a lean canvas with their ideas :)

helen842000 14y ago

That they need to have an output for their ideas (coding, writing, designing, audio etc) To become a successful entrepreneur you have to push your ideas into a creative outlet. The more they master a route to producing/shipping the easier it is to get feedback & achieve recognition,sales,profit & ulitmately success.