Most schools teach math and science, and a good many more include social responsibility. Unfortunately, however, few schools teach business skills, which is somewhat surprising considering there are few jobs I can think of that don’t require some form of business savvy.
Inspired by the popular TV show Shark Tank, Daystar Academy and Pingo Space have created a camp for kids that combines business savvy with creativity. To make it really like the real Shark Tank, this year Ivy Group’s CEO Jack Hsu is putting up RMB 10,000 as the grand prize for their winter’s Shark Tank Camp.
They’re hoping that this becomes a real opportunity for young entrepreneurs to come up with a business idea that solves a real-world problem, create a business plan, and then pitch it to local investors in the Shark Tank. One lucky team will receive the coveted RMB 10,000 to develop their idea and bring it to market.
The entire program is under the umbrella of our social innovation program, and we have a full-time director who is a former consultant for Bain and other non-profit organizations including the UN, overseeing its development.” Hsu explains to jingkids.
And that vision includes ethical business because, as Hsu explains, entrepreneurship isn’t just about making a living. “The emphasis is on the real world, solving real problems rather than learning about theories. This linkage to the real world is important for any curriculum. We learn math or science much better when we see it in the context of relating to a real-life problem and how it helps other people.”
Solving those real-world problems helps students develop important skills like creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving throughout the process and Hsu wants to encourage those skills and the emotional and tangible rewards that come with them. “The possibilities are endless. When you are successful and have created something new, the joy is the same as having a newborn baby. It’s exhilarating!”
Needless to say, that RMB 10,000 prize certainly got people’s attention. “We were floored by the offer,” says Sophie Su, founder of Pingo Space, the program that provides the curriculum for the Shark Tank camp. “It’s such an incredible opportunity for these students! Not only are they going to get to develop an idea and pitch it to real business people but they are also going to have someone take those ideas seriously enough to invest real money in them. That’s a powerful motivation and we know the possibility of getting to bring their ideas to life is going to be incredibly inspiring.”
Ultimately, the world is changing faster and in more dramatic ways than anyone can predict. We don’t know what the future of education will be, but most educators think it is a good bet that the ability to problem solve and make agile creative decisions will always be an in-demand skill.
To learn more about the Shark Tank camp and to sign up, scan the QR code below or send an email to camp@daystaracademy.cn.
Sounds pretty cool huh? This winter is going to be packed with fun and creative summer camps for all sorts of interests. Maybe you’re kids are interested in become master chefs. Or perhaps they’d like to spend winter hitting the slopes. There’s something for everyone’s interests. To find out the perfect one for your kids, visit our Winter Camp Round Up.
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Images: Daystar Academy, Pingo Space
