Teaching business concepts to high school students can be a challenging task. Business education encompasses a wide range of topics, from entrepreneurship and finance to human resources and marketing, all of which can seem abstract and complex to young learners. By incorporating engaging activities and real-world projects, educators can make these concepts accessible and exciting.
In this blog post, we will explore five ideas designed to introduce high school students to key business principles.
1. Enter the Tank
Learning to pitch a business idea is an invaluable skill for any aspiring entrepreneur. Watching “Shark Tank” can be both entertaining and educational, providing real-world examples of how to communicate and sell an idea effectively. This activity will help students understand the key components of a successful pitch, from identifying a problem to presenting a solution.
Activity Details
1. Start by showing students a few clips or an episode of “Shark Tank.” Choose a variety of pitches, including successful ones and others that didn’t go well, to highlight different aspects of pitching.
2. Divide the class into small groups. Each group will act as a team of entrepreneurs tasked with developing a business idea to pitch.
3. Give students time to brainstorm and develop their business idea. Encourage them to think about a problem they can solve, their target market, and basic financials.
4. Each group prepares a five-minute pitch. They should cover key elements such as the business idea, the market need, their target audience, and basic financial projections. Encourage creativity and clear, concise communication.
5. Groups present their pitches to the class. Optionally, set up a panel of “Sharks” (teachers or guest judges) to ask questions and provide feedback.
6. After the pitches, hold a discussion on what made certain pitches stand out or fall flat. Discuss the elements of successful pitches and common pitfalls.
Students will learn the fundamentals of creating and delivering a business pitch, understand market needs, and articulate financials clearly and confidently. This activity also enhances their public speaking, teamwork, and critical thinking skills, providing a comprehensive introduction to entrepreneurship.
2. Investigate a Local Business
Understanding the daily operations and challenges of a local business provides invaluable insights for students. Engaging with real business owners helps demystify what it takes to run a successful enterprise in the competitive business world.
This activity not only enhances students’ understanding of business management but also improves their communication, research, and presentation skills.
Activity Details
1. Identify Businesses: Students choose a local business they are interested in. Encourage the class to explore a variety of businesses such as cafés, retail stores, or service providers to get a broad perspective.
2. Contact Owners: Students reach out to the business owner or manager to request an interview. Provide a template for a professional email or phone script to guide them.
3. Prepare Questions: Guide students in preparing a set of interview questions. Topics can include daily operations, challenges faced, marketing strategies, and financial management. Example questions are:
- What motivated you to start this business?
- What are the biggest challenges you face in day-to-day operations?
- How do you market your business and attract customers?”
4. Conduct Interviews: Students conduct the interviews in person, over the phone, or via video call. Encourage them to take detailed notes and, if possible, record the interview (with permission).
5. Create a Report or Presentation: After gathering information, students write a report or create a presentation summarizing their findings. They should highlight the key challenges and strategies discussed, and include any interesting anecdotes or insights from the interview.
6. Class Discussion: Students present their reports or presentations to the class. Facilitate a discussion on the common themes and unique insights from different businesses. Discuss how these real-world examples relate to the business concepts studied in class.
Students will gain real-world insights into the daily operations of a business, the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, and effective business strategies. This activity also enhances their research, communication, and presentation skills, providing a well-rounded understanding of business management.
3. Career Exploration Project
Exploring various business careers helps students understand the diverse opportunities available in the business world. This activity encourages students to research different types of business jobs, discover the skills required for each role, and assess potential earnings. Understanding these aspects can guide students in making informed decisions about their future careers.
Researching business careers allows students to align their interests and strengths with potential job paths. It also helps them identify the education and skills needed to succeed in different fields. This knowledge empowers students to set realistic career goals and develop a plan to achieve them.
By engaging in career exploration, students gain a broader perspective on the business world. They learn about various roles and industries, which can inspire them to pursue specific careers. This activity also fosters critical thinking and research skills, essential for their academic and professional futures.
Activity Details
1. Career Research: Assign each student a different business career to research. Options could include accountant, marketing manager, human resources specialist, supply chain manager, and entrepreneur.
2. Information Gathering: Students gather information on their assigned career, including job responsibilities, required skills, education needed, and salary ranges. Provide them with resources such as career websites, industry reports, and interviews with professionals.
3. Presentation Creation: Students create a presentation or report detailing their findings. They should include visuals like graphs or infographics to illustrate salary data, job growth, and key responsibilities. Ensure they address:
- What the job entails on a daily basis
- The education and skills required
- Typical career progression
- Salary and job outlook
4. Class Presentation: Each student presents their findings to the class. Encourage students to ask questions and engage in discussions about each career. This interaction helps deepen their understanding and allows them to compare different career paths.
5. Skills Workshop: After the presentations, conduct a workshop where students match their personal skills and interests with potential careers. Discuss how they can develop these skills further and what steps they need to take to pursue their chosen career path. Provide guidance on setting short-term and long-term career goals.
Students will gain a deeper understanding of various business careers, the skills required for each, and the potential career paths they might pursue. This activity also enhances their research, communication, and presentation skills, helping them make informed decisions about their future professional lives.
4. Create an Advertisement
Understanding digital marketing is crucial in today’s tech-driven world. Designing effective pop-up ads provides students with practical insights into marketing strategies, audience engagement, and the importance of strategic ad placement.
Download this free handout and challenge your students to use Canva to create the ad and figure out the best spot on the website to get the most sign-ups without interfering with other campaigns.
Fill out this form to get the assignment sent to your email.
5. Stukent Intro to Business Simternship Cluster & Certification
Prepare your students for their future careers with the Stukent® Introduction to Business Simternship™ Cluster and Certification.
Simulated internships allow students to practice the tasks they’d encounter in an internship or their first job. The Intro to Business Simternship cluster places students in a rotational program at Buhi Supply Co., where they work in human resources, supply chain, sales, marketing, and finance departments. After they finish the program, they can take the certification exam to demonstrate their proficiency, boost employability, and help them negotiate for higher salaries and better positions.
Stukent certifications also:
- Show employers that students are ready for real-world roles
- Are fully auto-graded, saving you time and effort
- Can be shared via LinkedIn profiles, resumes, ePortfolios, and more
Request free instructor access today and see how this powerful resource could transform your students’ futures.
To learn about Stukent’s first-in-the-world Simternships and courseware and to get FREE instructor access to Stukent materials, visit our website.
