Second Annual Teacher Institute, hosted by the Barker Center for Economic Education
Over twenty area educators from thirteen different districts, spanning grades 6-12, came to campus to work with expert faculty in the LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education to learn how to blend concepts and skills in entrepreneurship and STEM education in their classrooms. These educators were participants of the 2nd Annual Teacher Institute that took place on-campus from July 22-26, hosted by the H.K. Barker Center for Economic Education. The institute focused on cultivating the next wave of financially informed citizens; with a particular interest in helping teachers better support young entrepreneurs and future small business owners needed in our communities. Educators that participated have agreed to design and implement a standards-based unit in their classroom this fall that advance elements of entrepreneurship and STEM education.
While on campus for the institute, educators toured Bounce Innovation Hub and heard from the inventors of Saucemoto, who recently appeared on ABC Television Network’s Emmy Award Winning show Shark Tank. Outside of meeting with local entrepreneurs, educators gained resources to help middle and high school learners consider consumer and producer pain points, research and consider intellectual property, engage in market research, develop a strong business canvas, and promote brand awareness through strong marketing.
Educators also worked in groups to compete in and experience a pitch competition. Throughout the week, teachers engaged in a design competition to create a new product or service. This allowed them the opportunity to use CAD modeling software and 3D printers, to create a business and marketing plan, and on the final day, to deliver a three-minute pitch for their innovations to judges. Television commercials designed by the teachers to help advertise their innovation can be found here.
Judges for this event included:
- Judy Barnes: President, Judith Bartonne Skin Care, Cosmetics & More
- Caryl-Lyn Mazullo: Senior Vice President and Branch Manager, Mazullo Wealth Management
- Dr. Lynne Pachnowski: Middle and AYA Mathematics Education; Professor of Education
The Burton D. Morgan Foundation recently provided a $20,000 gift to support the Barker Center drawing from this year’s Teacher Institute to create publically available online modules with videos, along with standards-based curriculum guides, for teachers to advance entrepreneurship and STEM education in their classrooms. The curriculum is scheduled to be piloted in the fall, with a national rollout in Spring, 2020.
Partners for this event included UA’s Urban STEM Center, Bierce Library’s MakerStudio, UA Research Foundation, the EX[L] Center, Akron SCORE, and Bounce Innovation Hub.