Brains have been buzzing at BX to build businesses.
The Vernon elementary school's Grade 5 to 7 students have been learning about creating products, research, marketing, budgets, pricing and the likes of entrepreneurship.
The results will be in full display at the first Young Entrepreneur Fair Friday, Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Silver Star Road school.
"If anyone is curious about what's going to be available, each student has created a poster that's on display at the entrance of the school," said Rebecca Hall, mom of a Grade 5 creator of Gnome Wreaths.
One such item are Worry Pets, created by Grade 6 student Julianne Holliday. The soft and fuzzy, handmade creatures with big, sparkly eyes, are designed to provide comfort and ease anxiety.
The thoughtful presentation adds a special touch: every Worry Pet comes in a charming box with a heartfelt note inside:
"IÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™m your little worry pet,
IÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ll be right here for you,
Tell me all your worries,
So, you donÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t feel so blue.
Pet my long soft fur,
And give me a little squeeze.
IÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ll help to comfort you,
And put your mind at ease."
This is BX ElementaryÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s second annual entrepreneur fair, after Mrs. Van Dun started it last year.
"The fair allows them to put the curriculum into action to come up with an idea, test it, make it, market their product and finally be able to sell their product seeing the whole process through from idea to selling," said Grade 5-6 teacher Owen Stemler, who is running the fair this year.
All profits generated from the Entrepreneur Fair will go toward funding future BX Blocks programs, events for the remainder of the school year and to charity.
Families will be reimbursed for manufacturing costs, allowing students to focus on their creativity and business planning while contributing to their school community.
"The resource we use is the Power Play Young Entrepreneurs program which also provided Business Planning Kits for all the students and access to online teaching resources," said Stemler, inviting everyone to come check out the fair.
"Be amazed by the creativity of our young entrepreneurs. With a huge variety of handmade crafts, games and toys, there's something for everyone, and most items are priced at a budget-friendly $10 or less."