Junior Entrepreneur Programme

This year, for the very first time, our Fifth and Sixth Class are taking part in the Junior Entrepreneur Programme. This is a very exciting and beneficial initiative which will hopefully develop the entrepreneurial and business skills of our students. The programme integrates well across the Curriculum but will have especial relevance to the STEM aspect of our Science programme.

As a first step the students learned a little about entrepreneurship and the characteristic skills necessary to be an entrepreneur. They looked at some famous Irish and international entrepreneurs and realised that they have many entrepreneurs in their locality.

Next came the creative bit, where our students each had to come up with their own product which they could create, market and sell in the school. Twenty nine great ideas were whittled down to the eight most suitable and our students were divided into eight groups in order to develop each idea.

Having been given some time to work on each idea/product the students were then ready to present their product in a Dragon's Den type scenario. Local business woman Jenny Brewer joined Ms O'Sullivan and Mr Gleeson on the Dragon's Den panel to lend some entrepreneurial nous to proceedings.

The presentations were astounding. The pitches were well researched and presented with confidence and aplomb. The eight products vying to be our 'Big Idea' were:
1) Wood Rings and Magnets
2) Happy Holders
3) Just Hang It!
4) Gragaugh Candles
5) Planet Pens
6) Name It! Tag It!
7) Conquer the World
8) Tipp Trees Bird Feeders

The Dragons had a lot to consider. Our 'Big Idea' had to be fun to make, suitable for the classroom and eco friendly as well as being attractive to the consumer! We want to make a bit of money - this is a business after all!

In the end the Dragons agreed that 'Planet Pens' was the product which ticked the most boxes. The brainchild of Colin Murray, Planet Pens are reusable pens made out of recycled materials. Well done to Colin and his team of Oisín, Emma and Michael.