NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
January 13, 2000
Two three-day workshops focusing on youth entrepreneurship are being offered by the North Dakota State University Extension Service during February and March, in Jamestown and Dickinson, respectively. This educational opportunity is designed for North Dakota elementary teachers in grades 3 through 7 as well as 4-H leaders.
The Jamestown workshop will begin with registration at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at the Dakota Inn, located just off I-94's Exit 258 along Highway 281 South. The Wednesday session will conclude at 9 p.m., and the Thursday and Friday sessions will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Dickinson workshop will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1, at the Stark/Billings county office of the NDSU Extension Service. The Wednesday session will conclude at 4 p.m., the Thursday session will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Friday session will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Educators who attend will be introduced to the Mini-Society curriculum, says Kathleen Tweeten, community economic development specialist with the NDSU Extension Service. The curriculum is an experience-based approach to teaching children entrepreneurship concepts and is designed for children from ages 8 to 12. The curriculum does not involve a simulation or game, but rather provides the opportunity for starting real businesses in a real society.
"A number of teachers and youth leaders have found that the Mini-Society curriculum works for children as young as 6 and as old as 14," Tweeten adds.
Participants will increase their knowledge of economics, entrepreneurship, law, government and ethical concepts, Tweeten says. They'll learn how to detect teachable moments related to entrepreneurship, and they'll be trained to lead inquiry-oriented discussions with youth.
A $150 stipend will be paid to the first 20 paid registrants for both workshops. Registration forms are available from county offices of the NDSU Extension Service. The deadline to apply for the Jamestown workshop is Wednesday, Feb. 2, and for the Dickinson workshop, Wednesday, Feb. 22.
Excluding lodging, the cost to attend the workshop is $20 for those seeking no credit or $55 for those seeking one graduate credit in the NDSU continuing education program (make checks payable to the NDSU Extension Service). That price includes a snack break and lunch on all three days, the Mini-Society curriculum and up to $100 in refunds for warehouse supplies. Participants must attend the entire workshop to receive graduate credit, certification to teach the Mini-Society course and the stipend.
The workshops are sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Inc. More information about the curriculum is available via the Internet at http://www.minisociety.com. For more information about the workshops, contact Tweeten at (701) 328-5134.
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Source: Kathleen Tweeten (701) 328-5134
Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136