Entrepreneur Project Guide: Innovate & Inspire

Project Goal

To research a successful entrepreneur, understand their journey, identify key characteristics that led to their success, and present your findings to the class using Google Slides.

Your Task

Imagine you are a reporter for an innovation magazine, and your assignment is to write an in-depth profile of a successful entrepreneur. You will then create a compelling Google Slides presentation to share your profile with your classmates.

Entrepreneur Selection

Choose one successful entrepreneur to research. Consider individuals from various fields (technology, arts, social enterprise, science, etc.). You might think about:

• Steve Jobs (Apple)
• Oprah Winfrey (Media Mogul)
• Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX)
• Arianna Huffington (HuffPost)
• Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook)
• Sarah Blakely (Spanx)
• Jeff Bezos (Amazon)
• Madam C.J. Walker (Hair Care Pioneer)
• Walt Disney (Disney Company)
• Bill Gates (Microsoft)

Research Requirements

Your research should cover the following areas. Organize your findings carefully, as they will form the basis of your presentation.

1. The Person

• Name: Full name of the entrepreneur.
• Background: Where and when were they born? What was their early life and education like? What were their initial aspirations?

2. The Idea/Innovation

• What they created: Describe the product, service, or company they founded.
• Problem Solved: What problem did their idea solve, or what need did it meet?
• Impact: How did their innovation change the world or their industry?

3. The Journey

• Inspiration: What inspired them to start?
• Challenges: What obstacles or failures did they face? How did they overcome them?
• Key Decisions: What important decisions did they make along the way?

4. Entrepreneurial Traits

• Qualities: What personal qualities (e.g., resilience, creativity, leadership, risk-taking) contributed to their success?
• Strategies: What business strategies or approaches did they use?

Presentation Requirements (Google Slides)

Your presentation should be 5-7 slides (excluding title and bibliography slides) and include the following:

• Slide 1: Title Slide
  • Project Title, Your Name, Entrepreneur's Name, and a compelling image.
• Slide 2: Introduction
  • Who is this person? Why did you choose them?
• Slide 3: The Big Idea
  • What did they create? What problem did it solve? What was its impact?
• Slide 4: The Journey & Challenges
  • Describe their path, including struggles and how they overcame them.
• Slide 5: Keys to Success
  • Discuss the entrepreneurial traits and strategies they demonstrated.
• Slide 6: Reflection/Legacy
  • What can we learn from this entrepreneur? What is their lasting legacy?
• Slide 7: Conclusion & Q&A (Optional)
  • Summarize your main points and prepare for audience questions.
• Slide 8: Bibliography
  • List all sources used (minimum 3 reliable sources).

Presentation Guidelines:

• Use clear, concise language.
• Include relevant images, charts, or diagrams.
• Be creative and engaging!
• Practice your presentation for smooth delivery.

Tips for Success

• Start Early: Don't wait until the last minute!
• Organize: Keep your research notes organized.
• Be Specific: Provide details and examples.
• Review the Rubric: Use the Entrepreneur Project Rubric to ensure you meet all requirements.
• Ask Questions: If you're stuck, ask your teacher for help!

Entrepreneur Project Rubric: Innovate & Inspire

This rubric will be used to assess your "Innovate & Inspire: Your Entrepreneurial Journey" Google Slides project. Please review it carefully to understand the expectations.

Total Score: /28

Comments:

Innovate & Inspire Script

Introduction & Hook (10 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide 1: Innovate & Inspire)

"Good morning/afternoon, class! Today, we're going to kick off an exciting project that will challenge you to think like an innovator and discover the incredible stories behind some of the world's most successful ideas."

"Take a look at this first slide. It asks: What does it take to start something new? And What makes a business or idea successful? Turn to a partner for just two minutes and brainstorm some initial thoughts. What comes to mind when you hear 'starting something new' or 'successful idea'?"

(After 2 minutes, bring the class back together for a brief share-out.)

"Alright, let's hear some of your ideas. Who wants to share what they discussed?" (Allow 2-3 students to share briefly.)

"Excellent ideas! We've heard about creativity, hard work, problem-solving – all fantastic points that connect directly to our topic today: entrepreneurship."

Project Overview & Expectations (15 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide 2: Your Entrepreneurial Journey Project)

"Today, you're going to embark on your own 'Entrepreneurial Journey' project. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to become an expert on a successful entrepreneur. You'll research their story, understand what drove their success, and then teach your classmates about them through a Google Slides presentation."

(Teacher displays Slide 3: Project Steps)

"Here's a quick overview of our project steps: First, you'll choose an entrepreneur. Then, you'll dive deep into their story through research. Next, you'll create an engaging Google Slides presentation, and finally, you'll share your insights with the class."

(Teacher displays Slide 4: What's a Google Slides Presentation?)

"Many of you are probably familiar with Google Slides. Think of it as your digital canvas for sharing information. You'll use it to create a clear, visually appealing presentation that highlights your entrepreneur's journey. It's a great tool for organizing your research and making your findings come alive."

"Now, I'm going to hand out the Entrepreneur Project Guide and the Entrepreneur Project Rubric. Please take a moment to look at both documents as I go over them."

(Distribute the documents or ensure students have digital access.)

"The Entrepreneur Project Guide is your roadmap. It tells you exactly what to research, what to include in your presentation, and offers tips for success. The Entrepreneur Project Rubric is super important – it shows you how your project will be graded. Make sure you understand the 'Exceeds Expectations' column for each criterion!"

"Are there any questions about the project goal, tasks, or what's expected?"

Research & Planning (40 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide 5: Key Research Areas)

"Alright, let's get started with the research! You can choose an entrepreneur from the list in your Entrepreneur Project Guide, or if you have someone else in mind, please check with me first. Your research should focus on these key areas: Who they are, what they created, why it's significant, how they overcame challenges, and what qualities made them successful."

(Teacher displays Slide 6: Your Resources)

"Remember your resources: your Entrepreneur Project Guide, your Entrepreneur Project Rubric, and, of course, the internet for research. When you're researching online, make sure to use reliable sources – think reputable news organizations, official company websites, or established biographical sites. Avoid blogs or Wikipedia as primary sources."

"You have about 40 minutes for dedicated research and planning. Start by selecting your entrepreneur, then begin gathering information for each section of the project guide. You can take notes digitally or on paper, whatever works best for you. I'll be circulating to answer any questions and help you find good sources."

(Circulate and provide support as students begin their research.)

Presentation Creation & Refinement (20 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide 7: Time to Innovate!)

"You've done some great research! For the next 20 minutes, your focus will shift to starting your Google Slides presentation. Begin by creating your title slide and outlining the content for your other slides based on your research and the Entrepreneur Project Guide."

"Remember to keep the Entrepreneur Project Rubric in mind as you design. Think about how you can use visuals to make your presentation engaging. Don't worry about finishing everything today – the goal is to get a solid start."

(Circulate and provide individual guidance on structuring their presentations and using Google Slides.)

Wrap-up & Next Steps (5 minutes)

"Time is flying when we're innovating! Please save your work and put away your devices. Let's quickly review what you've accomplished today. You've chosen an entrepreneur, started your research, and begun outlining your presentation. Fantastic work!"

"Your homework is to continue refining your research and building out your Google Slides presentation. We will have dedicated time for presentations next session."

(Teacher displays Slide 8: Reflect & Connect)

"Before you go, please complete this Cool Down activity. It will help me understand what you're excited about and any questions you still have."

(Distribute the Cool Down and collect it as students leave.)

Innovate & Inspire: Cool Down

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________________

Reflect on today's introduction to the Entrepreneur Project and your initial thoughts.

1. What is one characteristic or quality you think is essential for an entrepreneur to be successful?
   
   
   

2. What is one thing you are excited to learn or discover during this project?
   
   
   

3. What is one question you still have about the project or about entrepreneurs in general?
   
   
   

4. Which entrepreneur are you considering researching for your project (if you have one in mind)?