Writing, Public Speaking, and Science Classes for K-12 Curriculum | PopSmart Academy

Core Skills Students Will Learn

• Entrepreneurial mindset and opportunity recognition

• Creative ideation and problem-solving

• Feasibility analysis and critical thinking

• Market research and customer empathy

• Lean business modeling and planning

• Basic financial literacy (revenue, profit, budgeting)

• Legal structures and risk assessment

• Branding and marketing fundamentals

• Sales techniques and negotiation

• Pitching and presentation confidence

• Leadership, teamwork, and adaptability

Daily Curriculum Overview

Day 1 | Discovering Entrepreneurship & Generating Ideas

• What entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship mean and why they matter

• Real-world examples of product- and service-based ventures (tech, consumer goods, consulting, etc.)

• Fun brainstorming games to surface problems worth solving and spark business ideas

• “3 As” (Attractive, Achievable, Affordable) and ikigai as quick filters for idea quality

• Take-home: each student short-lists one idea they are excited to explore
  
  

Day 2 | Testing Feasibility & Choosing a Business Structure

• Hands-on feasibility scorecard to rate ideas using the 3 As rubric

• Basic legal structures (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation) and why they exist

• High-level look at risk vs. reward and the importance of teamwork and advisors

• Take-home: students refine their top idea and pick a provisional structure
  
  

Day 3 | Planning & Funding the Venture

• The “mini” business plan: mission, target customer, revenue model, key resources

• One-page Lean Canvas exercise for rapid planning

• Simple money matters: start-up costs, profit vs. revenue, equity vs. debt funding, friends-and-family round

• Take-home: draft Lean Canvas and first-pass budget
  
  

Day 4 | Branding, Marketing & Storytelling

• Crafting a memorable name, tagline, and logo (logo sketch activity)

• The 4 Ps of marketing (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) applied to kids’ businesses

• Creating a one-page marketing plan and flyer/online post mock-ups

• Take-home: students finalize brand elements and promotion plan
  
  

Day 5 | Selling & Pitching Like a Pro

• Basics of customer conversation: needs, benefits, and clear asks

• Building a short sales script and practicing consultative selling

• Slide-deck fundamentals and “elevator pitch” showcase

• Camp-end pitch session where every student presents to peers & mentors (parents invited!)

• Take-home: digital copy of slide deck and feedback notes for continued refinement
  
  

What can parents expect:
By the end of five days, students will have 

(1) a validated business idea, 

(2) a one-page plan and budget, 

(3) a brand & marketing kit, and 

(4) a polished two-minute pitch—equipping them with lifelong entrepreneurial confidence and communication skills.

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