{"id":27,"date":"2026-07-14T09:56:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T13:56:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.web.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/?page_id=27"},"modified":"2026-07-14T09:56:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T13:56:07","slug":"youth-entrepreneurship","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/youth-entrepreneurship\/","title":{"rendered":"Young Sharks Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center fb-columns-page-header is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-global-padding is-content-justification-right is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-951621a4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-xx-large-font-size\">Young Sharks Program<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-column-is-layout-5b271542 wp-block-column-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover wp-container-content-958eb9dc\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;min-height:70vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-30 size-large\" alt=\"A person in a blue shark costume smiles widely, with a blurred background of a gathering.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Young-Sharks-2048x1360-1-1024x680.jpg\" style=\"object-position:58% 60%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"58% 60%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Young-Sharks-2048x1360-1-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Young-Sharks-2048x1360-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Young-Sharks-2048x1360-1-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Young-Sharks-2048x1360-1-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Young-Sharks-2048x1360-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#697186\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><nav class=\"is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-bd946717 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Sidebar Navigation\" \n\t\t data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.openMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M4 7.5h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><path d=\"M4 15h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container\"  id=\"modal-2\" 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4.47 4.47 5.53 10.94 12l-6.47 6.47 1.06 1.06L12 13.06l6.47 6.47 1.06-1.06L13.06 12Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-content\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.focusFirstElement\"\n\t\t\t id=\"modal-2-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Home<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/in-business-directory\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">[IN] Business Directory<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/youth-entrepreneurship\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Youth Entrepreneurship<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/umake-the-change\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">UMake the Change<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/faqs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">FAQs<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/resources\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Resources<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/webinars\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Webinars<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/contact-us\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Contact Us<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With funding from the C.S. Mott Foundation, UM-Flint\u2019s Office of Economic Development &amp; Community Engagement<s>&nbsp;<\/s>developed the Young Sharks and Junior Sharks programs for student entrepreneurs in grades three through eight and their teachers. The curriculum blends entrepreneurship, economics, and innovation into existing K-12 curricula. &nbsp;Participating teachers attend a professional development workshop led by the curriculum co-authors<s>.<\/s>&nbsp;and the Office of Economic Development &amp; Community Engagement team. Teachers then work throughout the school year&nbsp;to guide students through all stages of the entrepreneurial process, helping students progress from initial ideas to launching a business and culminating in a pitch presentation. These students then compete in a county-wide event where they present their business ideas.<br><br>The Young Sharks program empowers students by developing their leadership skills and creativity and motivating them to take initiative. It also provides them with essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.<br><br>The curriculum was developed by Terry Groves, former K-8 social studies curriculum chair at Grand Blanc Community Schools, along with Paula Nas, David Merot and Nic Custer from UM-Flint\u2019s Office of Economic Development &amp; Community Engagement. In addition to these team members, the entire OED &amp; CE team plans and hosts the annual pitch competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"University of Michigan-Flint, Young Sharks\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QXt2_lUJBuQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">What are the Goals of the Young and Junior Sharks Program?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Young Sharks program has been designed with the needs of students and educators in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to learning the fundamentals of creating a business and the relevant economics and business concepts, participating students develop the skills associated with the entrepreneurial mindset, such as teamwork, problem-solving, persistence, risk-taking, creativity, and curiosity. Students who participate in the Young Sharks program learn to be creative thinkers and problem solvers and develop a clear understanding of the steps to becoming an entrepreneur, all while learning grade-appropriate social studies, economics, math, and literature content. Learning these skills at a young age allows the students to develop a foundation for critical thinking and adapting to new learning opportunities with greater confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Young Sharks and Junior Sharks were developed by a team with experience in the areas of K-8 social studies curriculum development, economics content, and entrepreneurship training.&nbsp;The lessons have been designed to address the needs of teachers who are faced with a limited amount of time in the school day, so lessons integrate economics, math, science, and language arts content into the entrepreneurship material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">How Do the Young Sharks and Junior Sharks Programs Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Elementary and middle school teachers participate in a professional development workshop that is co-facilitated by the authors of the Young Sharks curriculum. Those teachers who choose to adopt the curriculum in their classroom are provided with the complete set of lesson plans, student worksheets and activities, display boards, and support from the UM-Flint facilitators. Students in those classrooms form teams that generate business ideas in four categories: inventions, services, performing arts, and visual arts. Each team of student businesses creates a business pitch presentation and display board. Participating classrooms will select one winning business team to compete in the pitch competition and all participating student businesses will display their presentation boards during the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-brand-white-color has-brand-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-d702d59f051cf5b5d75de2f005f69082 wp-block-paragraph\">For additional information, please contact Paula Nas at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:pnas@umich.edu\">pnas@umich.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-id=\"31\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks17.jpg\" alt=\"Four children wearing chef hats perform on stage in front of an audience, with a blue curtain and a podium in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-31\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks17.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks17-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks17-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-id=\"32\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks19.jpg\" alt=\"A group of four people at a table cheer enthusiastically, with posters and displays visible in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-32\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks19.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks19-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks19-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-id=\"35\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks21.jpg\" alt=\"A group of four children holds a large check for $300 made out to Y.B. Volleyball, with a blue curtain in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-35\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks21.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks21-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks21-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-id=\"38\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks18.jpg\" alt=\"Three people wearing &quot;Junior Sharks&quot; t-shirts stand together, with one holding a microphone and another holding a paper.\" class=\"wp-image-38\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks18.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks18-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks18-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-id=\"39\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks09.jpg\" alt=\"A group of children in matching blue t-shirts interact in a busy indoor setting with tables and chairs.\" class=\"wp-image-39\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks09.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks09-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks09-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-id=\"41\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks06.jpg\" alt=\"A group of children at a round table, smiling and engaging in activities, with colorful markers and a presentation screen in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-41\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks06.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks06-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/120\/2026\/07\/Flint_YoungSharks06-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Young Sharks Program With funding from the C.S. Mott Foundation, UM-Flint\u2019s Office of Economic Development &amp; Community Engagement&nbsp;developed the Young Sharks and Junior Sharks programs for student entrepreneurs in grades three through eight and their teachers. The curriculum blends entrepreneurship, economics, and innovation into existing K-12 curricula. &nbsp;Participating teachers attend a professional development workshop led [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-27","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27\/revisions\/42"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/innovation-incubator\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}