Back row: Chris Hartley (HCOE), Heidi Moore-Guynup (HCOE), Jessica Hindley (US Bank), Savannah Ferguson (US Bank), Ben Larson ; Front row: Mandy Marquez (US Bank), Melissa Collins (US Bank), Karen Brooks (HCOE).
The Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) was awarded a $10,000 grant from US Bank to support entrepreneurial programs while promoting the principles of business, creativity and innovation. The Innovate entrepreneurial programs provide a tiered approach to learning about the values and benefits of the free market system. Programs include Lemonade Day for elementary, Crafting up Business for middle school, and the Innovate Business Challenge for high school students. The focus of funding from US Bank will support enhancement for both the Crafting up Business and Innovate Business Challenge.
Crafting Up Business is geared towards fifth through eighth grade students learning about the process of identifying and creating a product to sell profitably. It features multi-week lessons that practice ideation, how to analyze the cost of goods, breakeven point, budgeting, sales and evaluation. The lessons culminate in a public selling event, like a local craft fair or school-based fair.
The Innovate Business Challenge is a high-school competition where students from across the county are inspired to submit a business start-up idea as a 60-90 second video-based elevator pitch. The top 50 semifinalists then provide written responses to 13 business concept questions expanding their ideas, which are scored by judges to select ten outstanding student finalists. Five of these finalists compete in an Evening of Inspiration Finale event in May where a panel of judges representing successful local businesses, evaluate the viability of these start-up ideas in a “Shark Tank” like fashion.
“Humboldt County schools are so fortunate to have a giving community that continually goes above and beyond to support efforts at enhancing student educational experiences and opportunities,” states Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Chris Hartley. “We are so grateful for this generous donation from US Bank that will go to encourage entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and essential skills gained through their participation in our Innovate Programs.”
US Bank’s support will help enhance both of these programs by building increased community awareness, help promote and advertise student selling events and provide additional opportunities for tutoring, educational resources and cash incentives.
For more information about Innovate Programs, please contact Karen Brooks at (707) 445-7563.