Youth Entrepreneurship Clinics launch Lincoln pilot program

14 Sep 2018     By Katie Ballue

The Youth Entrepreneurship Clinics extension project is an inquiry-based experiential learning model where high school students serve as experts and mentors to business owners, providing them with fresh perspectives by solving real-world problems alongside local businesses. Whereas many programs provide youth the opportunity to learn about businesses and entrepreneurship by studying existing businesses, this program puts youth in the lead role – providing feedback to current business owners and offering perspectives that adults may not have. In addition, the program is intended to foster connection and a sense of meaningful contribution among youth.

The clinics are a collaborative outreach and research project co-led by Surin Kim, Assistant Professor and Entrepreneurship Extension Specialist in the Department of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design, and Maria de Guzman, Associate Professor and Youth Development Extension Specialist in the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies. Two additional principal investigators on the project are Ashu Guru, Assistant Professor and 4-H Learning Engagement Extension Specialist in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering and Claire Nicholas, Assistant Professor in the Department of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design. They are also working with a team of graduate students.

The clinics are entering a new pilot phase that is adding an advanced technical aspect. A group of Lincoln high school students have enthusiastically chosen go through the program. The students are interested in learning coding and computer science, real world applications for coding languages, networking and entrepreneurship, how to function in scientific environments, and working with other people on a team to meet a common goal.

To find out more about this innovative project, click the link below for an ongoing photo story.