How to Introduce Entrepreneurship (Grades 6-12)

Digital download

A first entrepreneurship lesson for grades 6-12

This 120-minute module shows teens that entrepreneurship means spotting opportunities, working as a team, learning from failure and pitching with confidence. Students build and rebuild in the Marshmallow Challenge, map the strengths of a dream team and analyze why real products succeed. Start here if your students are new to entrepreneurship.

Grades: 6-12  |  Teaching time: 120 minutes  |  Format: digital download with lesson plans, slides and printables

What's included

• Facilitation guide: Setup steps, talking points and a supply list for a smooth session.
• Lesson plans: Classroom-tested instructions with teaching tips and flexible timing.
• Presentation slides: Visuals written for a teen audience.
• Printable handouts: Worksheets and frameworks students use during each activity.

What students do

• The Marshmallow Challenge: Teams race to build the tallest tower and learn to treat failure as data.
• Dream Team: Students identify entrepreneurial traits and assemble a team with complementary strengths.
• Market Analysis: Students take apart real products to see the need each one meets.
• The Pitch Game: A fast, low-stakes round of pitching that builds speaking confidence.

What students practice

• Students prototype quickly and improve their work after each attempt.
• Students name their own strengths and recognize what teammates bring.
• Students explain how a product creates value for a customer.
• Students share ideas out loud with growing confidence.

Who it's for

Educators use this module in middle and high school classrooms, business and CTE electives, STEM clubs, makerspaces, afterschool programs, summer intensives and homeschool co-ops.

Frequently asked questions

How long does this lesson take?
Plan for about 120 minutes of instruction. You can teach it in one block or split it across several class periods.

Do I need a business background to teach it?
No. The guide walks you through every activity with step-by-step instructions, timing and teaching tips, so classroom teachers, afterschool leaders and parents can all teach it.

What supplies do I need?
The preparation guide lists every material. Most activities use paper, markers and other everyday classroom supplies.

Is the curriculum evidence-based?
Yes. VentureLab documents the research behind this curriculum in our ESSA evidence packet.

How do I get the files?
This is a digital product. After checkout, check your email for the link to download your files.

Can I share the files with other teachers?
The VentureLab curriculum license explains how you can use and share the materials.

Your purchase supports VentureLab, a nonprofit that brings entrepreneurship education to young people in San Antonio, St. Louis and classrooms across the country.