What does it take to turn an idea into a business?
For Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) students participating in the Entrepreneurship Education Pilot Project, the answer involves creativity, collaboration, problem-solving and a willingness to take risks.
Now in its third year at the UGDSB, the Ministry of Education-funded initiative gives students the opportunity to experience entrepreneurship firsthand. This year marked an exciting milestone, with Grade 7 and 8 students joining the program for the first time. Across the UGDSB, 11 classes from eight schools, including four elementary schools and four secondary schools, took part in the pilot.
The program provides seed funding that students can use to develop, market and sell their own products or services. Through the process, students learn about business planning, product development, budgeting, branding, marketing and customer engagement while gaining valuable real-world experience.
The goal is to help students develop an entrepreneurial mindset," said UGDSB K-12 Curriculum Leader Heather Walker. "Students are learning how to solve problems, think creatively, work collaboratively and adapt when challenges arise. These are skills that will benefit them no matter what pathway they choose."
Learning by Doing
The Entrepreneurship Education Pilot Project promotes entrepreneurship education for students, including developing the mindset and skills needed to run a business or social enterprise. The program also encourages students to connect with community partners and explore how entrepreneurship can create positive social and environmental impact.
Students are given significant ownership over their projects, including how they use their funding and how they bring their ideas to life.
This year, students created a wide variety of products and services. Some designed and sold handmade heating pads, pencil cases and 3D-printed products. Others explored upcycling and sustainable fashion.
One student business, Patch On, transformed donated plaid shirts into one-of-a-kind fashion pieces by adding custom patches. The student team produced and sold all 15 shirts they created.
Another student redesigned donated denim by taking apart old pairs of jeans and reconstructing them into entirely new garments. The student produced three unique pairs, all of which sold.
Along the way, students gained practical experience managing budgets, calculating costs, creating logos, developing marketing strategies and responding to customer feedback.
Connecting Learning to the Community
A key component of the program is connecting students with local entrepreneurs and community organizations.
This year, UGDSB partnered with the community innovation hub 10C in Guelph, giving students opportunities to learn directly from entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Elementary students visited 10C for workshops focused on entrepreneurship, problem-solving and product pricing. During the visit, they saw local chefs operating their businesses and participated in activities that challenged them to think like entrepreneurs.
These authentic experiences help students see the many pathways available to them beyond the classroom.
In some schools, students showcased and sold their products through community and school markets, giving them the opportunity to interact with customers and experience the realities of running a business.
The impact has already been noticeable.
At one school, teachers observed Grade 8 students selecting entrepreneurship and business courses during the high school course selection process after participating in the program.
Building Skills for the Future
While not every student will go on to become an entrepreneur, the skills developed through the program have value in virtually any career. Students consistently highlighted the importance of teamwork, resilience, adaptability and creative thinking in their reflections.
When asked how they would describe their experiences to a friend, students had high praise. "I would say to my friend that this was my favourite project so far of my high school career and they should definitely do it," said one student. "It was so fun and I actually learned a lot about running a business that I wouldn't have known by watching a video or not actually doing this project."
Another student reflected on the complexity of entrepreneurship.
"I would say that it is an amazing learning experience and that there are lots of moving parts in a business. I really enjoyed learning how a business runs and how to pivot when a problem arises. It takes a lot of problem solving and creative thinking."
A third student emphasized the life skills they developed through the experience.
"It was challenging but very valuable. It taught me how running a business involves more than just selling a product—it requires planning, teamwork, problem-solving and responsibility. Overall, it was a realistic and educational experience that helped me develop useful life skills."
Congratulations to the students who participated in the Entrepreneurship Education Pilot Project this year!
