Lesson 1: Brainstorming Ideas

Class Discussion:

• If we were given some money to start a company where all of the employees are currently sitting or standing in this room, what would we do?  We only need one good idea, but we'll take as many as we can get!
• What problems exist in our classroom, home, community, or world? Are there any ways we can try to fix one of those problems?
• What's popular with kids these days? Is there a way we can jump onto any of these "bandwagons" and compete?
• What can kids do better than adults? Can we consider turning that ability into a product or company?
• What needs are out there that we can fill?

Follow-Up Questions:

• Of these ideas, which 3-4 are your favorites? Put a star next to each.
• Of these ideas, how many people might be interested in our product or service? Is it enough to make money?
• Of these ideas, do we have to convince people to buy our product or service, or will they naturally be interested?

Partner Up and Pare Down:

• After I pull sticks, listen to each others' ideas and choose 2-4 ideas that will move on. Don't lose the other ideas, but focus in on these 2-4 going forward.
• These ideas don't have to be fun and exciting, they just need to have the potential to make money and be a good idea for us to turn into a company! We can get excited and motivated over the company and making money, even if we're not completely excited about our product or service.

Combine partnerships and pare down to 2-4 total ideas.
Combine groups and pare down to 2-4 total ideas.
Within your group of 8+ students, choose your favorite two ideas to do this assignment on:

1. Describe the product or service.
2. Explain what we would need to do in order to make this happen. What problems might we face? What do we need to buy or make? What experts do we need to consult? Etc.