1. Prototype
and
Testusing
Story Boards
and
Interviews /Surveys
Getting a job and making
money out of High School to
save and go to College.
The Problem

2. • High School developed four year class which
teaches students how to develop and run a
business.
• By senior year all students will have started
their own businesses (either by themselves or
together.) and run it for 6 months.
• High schools work with banks, angels
investors, and business to fund the start-ups.
Matching investors to businesses.
• % of profits go to college fund.
• This allows the students to have a way to be
gainfully employed with money towards
college if they choose. Should they choose not
to go to college after all, their “college funds”
will be invested in the next round of student
start-ups.
• Turn of investment to be included but low
percent.
• Win/win scenario – for investors and students.
IDEATE :

3. Students learn about
financing and mock
up business plans
based on existing
businesses.
Student beta launch
business with
industry guidance.
HS Student Freshman
sign-up for a 4 Year
Business Start-up
Class
Prototype and Test
- OneHigh school has a four year New Business/Start-Ups class
– at the end of which students will have started their own
businesses
Meet with other
Students and the
Teacher(s) –Learn
about the Program
and Requirements
Are taught
about
entrepreneur
(successes and
failures
scenarios).
Business ideas
brainstorming and
mock-p.
Students learn about
marketing and
advertising – selling
products/services to
the public.
Students meet with
industry
entrepreneur gain–
series of
talk/question/
answer and visits to
businesses.
Student choose a
business to develop –
individual or in
groups. Develop
business plan.
Students and
teachers meet with
banking and angel
investors – make
business proposals..
Revamp as needed.
Beta launch and
shape businesses –
modifying as needed
with industry
guidance.
Official launch and $$
made. Run
, calibrate, and shape
businesses –
Graduate and have their own
business – save for college or
invest in the next group of HS
businesses.

4. Prototype and Test –
One
Spoke to three students and one
teacher interviewed with story board –
surveyed options.
Feedback from surveys and
interviews:
How and Qty:
•Great, exciting idea.
•How is the student supposed to have enough time
to make this viable when they have so many other
subjects and tests?
•How are the teachers going to have the time?
•Who sets up the relationships with the investors
and banks?
•What are the legal ramifications for the school,
students, and teachers involved?
•It would make school more “real” and applicable
to life.
•Who will help the student AFTER graduation to
ensure they are on track and don’t flounder?
•Will there be any after graduation support?

5. Prototype and Test -
One
Reflection:
What you learned by testing your prototypes?
•I need a much more involved prototype to
address the concerns of the users.
•Prototype would be more valuable if it had
been interactive as opposed to just looking at a
storyboard (hard for student to get their mind
around concept).
•This is probably a 3-4 year project just to set up.
•“After graduation” support – was very good
feedback – for this idea to survive this would
need to be part of the program.
What you would do next if you were to continue
working on the project?
•I would meet with banks and businesses to get
their opinions.
•I would meet with the school administration to
get feedback.
•I would invest a considerable amount of time
into laying out the venture.

6. – Business leaders
– Government
employees/political leaders
– Retired people
– People in retirement
homes/hospitals
• Partnering students with
people who have “been there”
and are “connected” to
navigate the job/school
scenarios, give guidance and
emotional support.
IDEATE :

7. Prototype and Test
- Two
Mentoring – Partnering
Students with Individuals
Schools sets
up a
mentoring
program
Volunteers are developed
from business owners,
retired industry
professionals, etc Then
they first take a class to
learn “mentoring” skills.
Students, take a
survey that will help
pair them with a
mentor (interests, etc)
Students meet with
their mentors on bi-
weekly or monthly
basis to understand
the job market,
network through their
mentor, and get
guidance on direction.
Students are
partnered up with
mentors – meet and
greet in an open
gathering first.
Guidance continues
for the first year after
graduation.

8. Prototype and Test –
Two
Feedback:
Qty and How:
Three Students and One Teacher Interviewed and surveys.
•The students all liked the idea of not being “out
there in the cold”.
•They liked the idea of knowing someone (other
than their parents – lol) cared and could help
through the networking job search and anxiety.
•They were worried about how to you weed out the
“creepers” and or ineffectual mentors.
•Wanted to know what happens when one side
drops out.
•Where and how to encourage people to become
mentors.
•Overall – students and teachers liked the idea.

9. Prototype and Test -
Two
Reflection:
What you learned by testing your
prototypes?
•Same as proto #1 - I need a much
more involved prototype to address
the concerns of the users.
•I need to put more overall time into
thinking out the project.
•Prototype would be more valuable if
they were interactive as opposed to
just looking at a storyboard.
What you would do next if you were
to continue working on the project?
•I would address the issue of
“creepers”. How to keep it safe.
•I would meet with other people who
have set up mentoring programs for
advice and learning. How did they do
it, what were the challenges? How did
they maintain momentum? Etc.