The advancement of technology continues to impact our lives. Even the implementation of a simple task that is part of a daily routine or a favorite pastime might be different. It may take less time or it could incorporate elements of the digital world.
Previously, in the classroom students were instructed to listen, remember and repeat information. Just as daily routines have evolved, so too, have learning environments for students.
“Entrepreneurship education” is the new buzz phrase in many schools. This innovative approach to learning, combining STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills, problem-solving and hands-on experience, appeals to students, teachers and parents. Thanks to AlphaJump, an innovative program available to Catholic elementary schools throughout Northeast Ohio, entrepreneurship education is more accessible than before.
Launched in 2017 by Dan Hess, a history teacher at St. Ignatius High School, AlphaJump is a middle school entrepreneurship consortium. Through AlphaJump, schools are offered a customized framework for entrepreneurial education, which can be adapted into a class curriculum or STEM unit, or used in an extracurricular club. The program offers a full school year of learning, including short readings, videos, work sheets and activities. Through the program, students learn how to envision a business concept, write a business plan and pitch a business idea. The program culminates each spring in a competition similar to the TV show “Shark Tank” at St. Ignatius, where finalist students from all member schools compete for cash prizes and recognition. Since its inception, more than 800 students from 30-plus schools have participated.
“The beauty of AlphaJump is its ease of use,” said Hess, who created not only AlphaJump but also the St. Ignatius Entrepreneur Academy. “The benefits are tremendous. Not only does it help foster an entrepreneurial mindset among students, it also offers a ready-made way for the school to differentiate itself from its competitors, and a way to get school parents, parishioners and alumni involved. That’s a win-win for the students and the school.”
Any school can join AlphaJump by following these guidelines. They must use or follow the AlphaJump curriculum, host an internal school business competition and send the winning team from their school to Catapult – the final business plan competition at St. Ignatius. This year’s Catapult competition is March 7.
Each school can modify the way it rolls out the program and who oversees it. In some schools, a teacher is the main facilitator. In others, AlphaJump functions as an after-school club run by parent volunteers. Some schools recruit guest speakers from their parish population, allowing a special opportunity for interested parishioners with entrepreneurship experience to share their knowledge and interests with the students.
AlphaJump began as an opportunity to fill a gap. Hess saw that while entrepreneurship education opportunities were available both to high school students and very young students, no opportunities existed at the middle school level when developmentally, students are most ready to adapt an entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving.
“This is a great age to start fostering our kids to see problems as opportunities, and start thinking about ways to create solutions to those problems,” Hess said. “That’s how all great entrepreneurs got their start.”
Educators interested in more information about AlphaJump can contact Hess at dhess@ignatius.edu.