5 Pittsburgh school districts where kids learn real-world entrepreneurial skills
Entrepreneurial skills meet real-world experience in Pittsburgh school districts that have teamed up with local companies and business professionals. Each program provides valuable job training for kids before they graduate and insights into possible career paths. Opportunities range from problem-solving at a manufacturing facility to managing an on-campus coffee shop.
Baldwin-Whitehall School District
Baldwin High School’s new student-run café, Baldwin Bean functions as a nontraditional learning environment for kids in a variety of disciplines. An expansion of the school’s Partners Program model already implemented in physical education and music classes, Baldwin Bean provides the chance for special needs students to gain job training experience with help from mainstream student partners.
Eric Jankoski and Joshua Stahl, special education teachers for the high school, initially came up with the idea for the café, encouraged by Randal Lutz, superintendent of schools.
“We’re always looking for opportunities for students to gain real-world experience,” Janoski says. “This café offers an ideal setting for students to hone skills, such as customer-service and money skills, in a constructive environment. Students will learn transferable skills for many different jobs. It’s an excellent résumé builder and will prepare students for careers after high school.”
West Jefferson Hills School District
INCubatoredu, a new “Shark-Tank” type of entrepreneurship class at Thomas Jefferson High School, gives kids the chance to imagine a concept, then create and launch the new product or service. Students learn the Lean business methodology – to maximize customer value while minimizing waste. They create the product at the end of the first semester, then pitch it to the board of advisors (“Sharks”) at the end of the year for possible funding.
Right now, 20 community members serve as volunteer coaches, mentors and board of advisors to provide real-world experiences for the students. Lessons focus on positioning, finances, marketing and development.
The class gives kids networking opportunities and meaningful work, says Lisa Kostella, INCubatoredu teacher. “Students are learning that they can take an idea and actually turn it into reality if they put forth the effort.”
Superintendent Dr. Michael Ghilani sees the class as a vital one to prepare students for a workforce with growing numbers in entrepreneurial or independent contractor roles.
“It also is a great opportunity to connect some of the experts and the expertise in our community and engage them as mentors, teachers and the board to work with our students,” he says.
Bethel Park School District
At Bethel Park High School, Computer Integrated Management students work with management from EAFab Corp in Oakdale. Students propose solutions to real-life issues facing the manufacturing facility and present their findings at the California University Southpointe Center.
“It is our goal to provide our students with as many opportunities to work with companies, giving them the experience to problem solve in a meaningful way,” says principal Dr. Zeb Jansante.
It’s fun for Brad Kszastowski, who teaches the class, to see students collaborating and sharing ideas.
The school appreciates the company’s active involvement with this project. EAFab owners Pedro and Claudia Quiroga visit kids in the classroom to offer guidance and thought-provoking questions.
“Their input is invaluable,” Kszastowski says. “And their commitment to providing these real-life learning opportunities for our students is something that we can’t replicate in the classroom.”
Carlynton School District
Expansion to The Shop at Carlynton Junior-Senior High School was an investment that is paying off for students. With the new space, kids can create, problem-solve and master entrepreneurial skills through a variety of workshops in a design studio, print shop and animation zone.
The Shop was modeled after the YouMedia space at Chicago Public Library and was designed after the HOMAGO (Hanging Out, Messing Around and Geeking Out) philosophy to allow kids to work in a variety of media.
“Our students are encouraged to get their hands dirty in The Shop,” says Wendy Steiner, shop facilitator. “A current project involves students in our Life Skills class working with regular education students to create and grow indoor herb gardens. The gardens will serve as centerpieces for a district-wide Taste of Carlynton event in late April.”
Workstations connect with kids across all core disciplines of the curriculum. They enjoy a gaming area, CAD studio, fashion design nook, silk-screening alcove and recording studio. All the spaces are designed to foster creativity and facilitate entrepreneurial opportunities with local businesses.
Moon Area School District
Moon Area High School began offering its new Invention Laboratory Course this school year by partnering with local corporations. Students visit businesses to assess their needs and then work on solutions to present to the companies.
Engineering teacher James Petrina teaches the course in which students use the engineering lab for design and the manufacturing and materials labs for production and prototype. The course utilizes modern and traditional technology to work out legitimate solutions for businesses.
“Working in partnership with corporations gives students, school personnel and business professionals the ability to experience authentic learning practices,” says principal Barry Balaski. “Companies that keep an open mind and provide opportunities outside of the standard classroom not only benefit students but ensure that schools help to provide the most educated and prepared future workforce. With this investment, everyone wins.”
