Middle school students are being put to the test Wednesday at Mount Saint Mary Academy. High school girls are holding an entrepreneurship challenge featuring three different activities.
The idea for the business challenge came from the girls at Mt. Saint Mary who are part of the Virtual Enterprises program.
.@MSMThunder students are part of "Virtual Enterprises" a biz program creating leadership skills @WKBW pic.twitter.com/g0xmFGr2Kt
— Desiree Wiley (@DesireeWiley) April 12, 2016
"Virtual Enterprises is a global business program that allows students to engage in every aspect of running a business," said Kathy Gielow the program director.
The program has been part of the school now for three years.
"We hope to introduce girls to the world of business to help them foster their creativity, problem solving skills and to expose them to the bigger world out there," said Julie Wojick the assistant principal.
Wednesday's program will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
.@MSMThunder the "Virtual Enterprises" competition is tomorrow from 5-8 p.m. @ Mt. St Mary @WKBW pic.twitter.com/L050ia4Ebl
— Desiree Wiley (@DesireeWiley) April 12, 2016
"Tomorrow is going to be a fabulous time for middle school girls," said Wojick. "It's open to any middle school girl. They're going to come in and compete in a Shark Tank like competition. They're going to be forced to think creatively and then they have to pitch their business ideas."
.@MSMThunder students are sitting in the hot seat today tomorrow they're challenging middle school girls @WKBW pic.twitter.com/w7ZcKerj94
— Desiree Wiley (@DesireeWiley) April 12, 2016
One challenge on the table Wednesday will be creating an edible sandwich out of the ingredients provided. Ingredients include things like lunch meats, cereals, frosting, fruits, vegetables and more.
The sandwiches are made! What are they? They'll pitch them @ 6:15 on @WKBW pic.twitter.com/2D1hZPr1xE
— Desiree Wiley (@DesireeWiley) April 12, 2016
"They'll also have a build a machine competition. They'll make models of a machine that helps them do something in their lives," said Wojick. "They'll also be challenged to come up with a new name of a rock band and they'll create concert t-shirts. Then have to promote that rock band."
The shirts will be printed during the competition tomorrow by a local company so they can pitch the real-deal t-shirt in front of a panel of judges made up of students from Mt. Saint Mary.
"The girls are so self-motivated and high achieving they really put everything into developing their business," said Gielow. "This is exactly what HSBC has been helping to support us with. They're a national partner with Virtual Enterprises."
It costs $15 to be part of the competition which includes dinner and a creative kit to take home. Parents and guardians will drop the students off and can watch the end of the program.
To sign up or get more information click here.
