“It's important to understand that entrepreneurship education doesn't necessarily mean creating a business. It's a mindset and a set of skills that can be applied to anything we set out to accomplish, and it's beneficial to anyone in any field, not only to those who want to start a business.” - Ryan Owens

I believe entrepreneurship is a vital component of our society and essential for our future, yet it is rare;y not taught in our classrooms and schools. This absence of entrepreneurship education is a missed opportunity to prepare students for the future and provide them with the skills they need to succeed in today's rapidly changing economy. Here's why:

Entrepreneurship education can help students develop important skills that will be valuable in any career:

Entrepreneurship requires GRIT, as Angela Duckworth showcases in her book, GRIT: The Power of Passion and Perserverance. Entrepreneurship challenges us, it forces us out of comfort zone in areas such as creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and risk-taking. These are essential skills for success in any field and can be developed through entrepreneurship education. In my experience in the classroom, cultivating entrepreneurial thinking can help students develop important soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and communication. These skills are not only high demand by future employers but they are essential to our success in no matter what we set out to accomplish in life.

Entrepreneurship education can help prepare students for the future:

Like I mentioned above, it's no secret our economy is rapidly changing and the job market is becoming increasingly competitive. We are looking for a new breed of problem solvers. We need people who can think critically, to formulate and create solutions to the unique problems of today and tomorrow. By teaching entrepreneurship, schools can help students become more adaptable and resilient, better thinkers, and equipped to learn and grow from their failures. Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking can help students develop the skills they need to create their own opportunities and be successful in a rapidly changing world.

Entrepreneurship education can benefit the economy:

I believe that entrepreneurs are the driving force behind economic growth and job creation. By teaching entrepreneurship in schools, we can help create a more entrepreneurial society, which can lead to more innovation, more startups, and more jobs. Additionally, entrepreneurship education can help students develop the skills they need to be successful in business and in life.

It's important to note that entrepreneurship education doesn't necessarily mean creating a business:

Entrepreneurship is a mindset and a set of skills that can be applied to any profession and any problem, and it's beneficial to anyone in any field, not only to those who want to start a business. Entrepreneurship education can be integrated across the curriculum, including math, science, social studies, and language arts. In my experience, student entrepreneurship is most effectively incorporated in project-based learning and design thinking. It's a holistic approach that can engage students and make learning more relevant to their lives.

In conclusion, entrepreneurship education should be a core component of our education system:

It can help students develop important skills, prepare them for the future, benefit the economy, and benefit society as a whole. By teaching entrepreneurship in schools, we can create a more innovative and entrepreneurial society, which can lead to better thinkers, more solutions, more startups, more jobs and a better world. It's a way to empower students and prepare them for our rapidly changing world.

Interested in trying an entrepreneurial project in your own classroom?

I've created several activities, projects and lessons (Like the one below) to get you started: