Youth Marketplace
Youth Marketplace is an exciting, hands-on learning unit designed for upper elementary or middle-school students. Together, groups of students create, market, and manage their own businesses. Students learn valuable business skills and can even earn profits in the process. Youth Marketplace involves all students, encourages teamwork, and, most importantly, is FUN for everyone!
Integrated Curriculum
The Youth Marketplace curriculum units cover:
The program is designed to be flexible in scheduling and content so that the opportunity for students exist in any school environment. The program can be done as an intensive project or can be spread out over the course of a semester (typically 20-25 hours). In the end, students learn about starting and running a business in the best way possible — through real life experience!
Practical Experience
Business teams write a business plan and apply for a business start-up loan through a real bank or lending institution. Students create a business logo, business cards, and other marketing materials to help sell their products. Entrepreneurs from the community are invited to participate in classroom activities.
Family and Community Involvement
Classmates participate in a one-day Youth Marketplace Event that is held in a mall or some public location. At the event, student entrepreneurs set up their businesses and sell their product and service creations.
Benefits of the Program
Contact Information:
Judi Eyles, Director
ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship
1805 Collaboration Place
Suite 1300
Ames, Iowa 50010