Young Entrepreneurs: The 5th Grade Startup Challenge
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as entrepreneurs, design and pitch a sustainable business that solves a real need in our community while proving its financial and environmental viability?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do we use mathematical operations to calculate start-up costs, pricing, and potential profit for our business?
- In what ways can we use persuasive writing and public speaking to convince an audience that our business plan is viable?
- How can we apply the engineering design process to create a prototype or service model for our business?
- How can we evaluate the environmental impact of our business's materials and processes to ensure sustainability?
- How do we use data and research to identify a specific need within our community?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will apply mathematical operations involving decimals and fractions to accurately calculate start-up costs, unit pricing, and projected profit margins for their business model.
- Students will produce a structured, persuasive business plan that utilizes evidence-based research and logical reasoning to justify their business's viability.
- Students will design and iterate a product prototype or service model by following the Engineering Design Process to meet a specific community need.
- Students will analyze the environmental footprint of their business operations and propose sustainable alternatives for materials and energy use.
- Students will deliver a professional oral pitch, integrating multimedia components to effectively communicate their value proposition to a panel of stakeholders.
- Students will conduct market research using data collection methods (surveys/interviews) to identify and define a specific problem within their local community.
Common Core State Standards (ELA)
Common Core State Standards (Math)
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Mystery of the Bankrupt Bakery
Students enter a classroom transformed into a 'closed' bakery with 'Out of Business' signs and messy ledgers. They must act as forensic accountants to analyze the math behind the failure—overpriced ingredients and poor foot traffic—and decide how to pivot the business to succeed.The Problem-Solver's Pitch
Students are presented with a series of 'Life Hacks' that don't actually work, leading to a discussion on everyday frustrations. They are then challenged to identify a scientific or logistical problem in their own school—like heavy backpacks or cold lunches—and build a business around a functional solution.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.The Persuasive Power Plan
Students will synthesize their research, design, and math into a formal, persuasive business plan. This document argues why their business is a necessary and viable addition to the community.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA formal 4-section Business Plan: Executive Summary, Market Research, Sustainability Report, and Financial Outlook.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.1 (Write opinion pieces, supporting a point of view with reasons and information).The Launch Pad Pitch
In this culminating activity, students transform their written plan into a dynamic oral pitch. They will use multimedia (slides, posters, or videos) to present their business to a panel of 'investors' (teachers or community members).Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA 3-minute professional pitch accompanied by a multimedia presentation.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.4 (Report on a topic or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and speaking clearly).The Profit & Loss Lab
Now that students have a design, they must calculate the cost of doing business. Students will research the prices of materials, calculate 'startup costs,' and determine a selling price that ensures a profit, all while working with decimal values to represent currency.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA 'Business Ledger' spreadsheet showing all decimal calculations for unit costs, total startup expenses, and projected profit.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NBT.B.7 (Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals to hundredths).The Green Blueprint & Prototype
Students will apply the Engineering Design Process to brainstorm two different versions of their product or service. They must evaluate which version is more sustainable by analyzing the materials used and their impact on the environment.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA 'Sustainability Comparison Chart' and a labeled sketch or physical low-fidelity prototype (using recycled materials) of their chosen solution.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 3-5-ETS1-2 (Generating and comparing solutions) and 5-ESS3-1 (Obtaining information about protecting Earth's resources).Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioThe Entrepreneur's Challenge: Business Plan Rubric
Business Plan Literacy (ELA)
Evaluates the student's ability to synthesize research into a structured, persuasive document that argues for the necessity of their business solution.Persuasive Argumentation and Writing
The ability to draft a formal business plan that uses a clear claim, evidence-based research, and a compelling call to action to justify the business's viability.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe plan presents a sophisticated and compelling claim; evidence from multiple research sources is seamlessly integrated to support the argument; the conclusion provides a powerful, persuasive call to action that leaves the audience fully convinced.
Proficient
3 PointsThe plan presents a clear and logical claim; relevant evidence from research is used to support the argument; the conclusion includes a specific call to action that summarizes the main points of the business.
Developing
2 PointsThe plan presents an identifiable claim, but evidence is limited or inconsistently applied; the call to action is present but lacks persuasive power or detail.
Beginning
1 PointsThe plan lacks a clear claim; evidence is missing or irrelevant to the business idea; the conclusion is incomplete or fails to provide a call to action.
Financial Analytics (Math)
Focuses on the mathematical precision required for calculating the real-world costs and potential profits of a business venture.Decimal Operations and Financial Accuracy
The ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to the hundredths place to calculate inventory costs, unit pricing, and break-even points.
Exemplary
4 PointsAll decimal calculations for inventory, startup costs, and profit margins are flawless and precisely documented; the ledger shows a sophisticated understanding of how decimal placement affects currency.
Proficient
3 PointsDecimal calculations are mostly accurate with very minor errors; the ledger clearly shows the relationship between unit costs, total expenses, and the proposed selling price.
Developing
2 PointsCalculations with decimals show inconsistent accuracy; some steps in the startup cost or profit calculation are missing or contain significant errors.
Beginning
1 PointsDecimal operations are frequently incorrect or omitted; the ledger does not demonstrate a functional understanding of business financial planning.
Engineering and Environmental Science
Assesses the application of the Engineering Design Process and the student's ability to protect Earth's resources through sustainable business choices.Sustainable Engineering and Prototyping
The ability to generate and compare multiple solutions based on sustainability criteria and create a prototype that addresses a specific community need.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe prototype is innovative and highly functional; the sustainability analysis provides a sophisticated comparison of renewable vs. non-renewable materials with a deep rationale for the final choice.
Proficient
3 PointsThe prototype clearly addresses the community need; the sustainability chart accurately identifies the impact of materials and explains why the chosen model is Earth-friendly.
Developing
2 PointsThe prototype is basic or partially functional; the sustainability analysis is superficial or fails to distinguish clearly between different material impacts.
Beginning
1 PointsThe prototype is incomplete or does not address the community need; there is little to no evidence of sustainability research or material comparison.
Oral Communication (Speaking & Listening)
Measures the student's communication skills and their ability to present complex information in a persuasive, professional manner.Pitch Delivery and Multimedia Integration
The ability to report on the business plan with logical sequencing, clear speech, and effective use of multimedia to enhance the message.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe pitch is delivered with exceptional confidence and professional pacing; eye contact is constant; multimedia aids are used innovatively to significantly enhance the audience's understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsThe pitch follows a logical sequence (problem to solution); the speaker is clear and audible; multimedia aids are relevant and effectively support the verbal presentation.
Developing
2 PointsThe pitch sequence is occasionally confusing; the speaker's pace or clarity is inconsistent; multimedia aids are present but provide little support to the message.
Beginning
1 PointsThe pitch is disorganized or difficult to follow; the speaker lacks clarity; multimedia aids are missing, distracting, or irrelevant.