Students at Rock Island High School will make their own business plan and test it in the community. Last week, the school launched a new entrepreneur program, to teach students how to run a business.
Rock Island High School business teacher, Trish Matson, says only about 9 schools across the US offer the Incubator Entrepreneur Program. And, high schools are an "untapped market of new ideas and innovation."
She says an old childcare classroom has been renovated to look like a Google office, with open space and work stations. And, 45 students are working in teams of 5 to create a business plan, conduct market research, and test it on potential customers.
At the end of the year-long course, the students will participate in "Pitch Week," where they will try to sell their ideas to investors.
The new entrepreneur program was made possible by the Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation, and the Rock Island Rotary Club, who will send professionals to help teach the class.