Spark Learning & Innovation: Resources for High School Educators
Free, research-backed entrepreneurship lessons for high school educators.
Welcome!
This page brings together free, research-informed teaching modules that were originally developed for college-level coursework and adapted for high school students. Each module translates rigorous entrepreneurship research into practical, hands-on learning experiences that work in real classrooms.
These resources are designed for:
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High school educators teaching entrepreneurship, business, marketing, economics, or STEM
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Instructional coaches and curriculum leaders looking for high-quality, ready-to-use materials
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Community partners, program staff, and others who support youth entrepreneurship
All resources are freely available for educators to use, adapt, and share.
What’s Included in Each Module
Modules includes three core components:
Educator Resource Guide
Pacing options, facilitation steps, discussion prompts, teaching tips, and common challenges/solutions.
Student Packet
Clear learning objectives, project flow, reflection questions, and simple assessment guidance.
Printable / Shareable Handouts
Student-facing pages designed for quick printing or digital sharing.
How the Modules Are Organized
To reflect how teachers actually plan and teach, modules are organized by instructional purpose rather than academic jargon. You can:
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Start with Core Foundations when launching a unit
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Use Creativity & Leadership lessons to build mindset and engagement
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Choose Applied Projects when you want students to create and experiment
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Turn to Pitching & Presentation Skills for culminating work and showcases
A time-based guide for planning is also included further down the page.
Core Entrepreneurship Foundations
Start here when introducing entrepreneurship, business, or innovation.
Business Models and Strategy
Help students understand the structure and strategy behind successful businesses.
- Introduction to Business Models
- Introduction to the Business Model Canvas
- Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurial Mindset and Innovation
Encourage students to think creatively and explore entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Bisociation (Mixing Ideas) and Business Models
- Invention vs. Innovation in Business
- SNL Viable Business Models
Interactive and Experiential Learning
Engage students in real-world, hands-on activities that build practical skills.
Pitching and Presenting Ideas
Guide students in developing and presenting their business ideas with confidence.
- Pitching Your Business Idea: Essential Skills for High School Students
- How to Host an Innovation Challenge
Modules/Articles
Introduction to Business Models Module
Introduce your students to the world of business models with this engaging lesson plan. This introductory lesson is perfect for building a foundation that leads to deeper exploration of entrepreneurship concepts.
Introduction to the Business Model Canvas Module
Discover how businesses create, deliver, and capture value with this hands-on introduction to the Business Model Canvas, designed to teach students the fundamentals of successful business models.
Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship
Teach students how to make an impact with this hands-on lesson in social entrepreneurship! Explore solutions to real-world challenges and inspire change through business.
Empowering Students for Tomorrow: Expanding Entrepreneurship in High School Education
Today’s fast-changing job market brings new challenges—and high school is the perfect time to help students build skills for navigating it. This article explores how entrepreneurship education can empower students with critical thinking, adaptability, and an entrepreneurial mindset to thrive in a world where career paths are shifting.
Bisociation (Mixing Ideas) and Business Models Module
Unlock your students' creativity with our Bisociation lesson plan! Adapted from leading professors, this module guides students in designing innovative business models and discovering new opportunities.
Invention vs. Innovation in Business Module
How do businesses turn ideas into impact? This engaging lesson helps students explore the difference between invention and innovation while sparking creativity and entrepreneurial thinking.
SNL Viable Business Models Module
Get your students laughing and learning with this SNL-inspired lesson! This activity uses humor to teach critical business concepts, challenging students to turn improbable ideas into viable business models.
Expert Insights: Should Cell Phones be Banned in Classrooms?
Join UNC-Chapel Hill’s Professor Howard Aldrich as he shares with Kimberly Eddleston what happened when he decided to ban phones in class—and why he believes more schools should consider it.
Coin Toss Game Module
How much of success is luck, and how much is skill? Our new Coin Toss Game module helps students explore this critical question while learning to navigate uncertainty in entrepreneurship.
Lego® Serious Play Module
Bring creativity and critical thinking into your classroom with the LEGO® Serious Play module! Designed to engage high school students in hands-on learning, this module uses LEGO® bricks to help students explore problem-solving, teamwork, and innovative thinking in a fun and interactive way.
$5 Startup Challenge Module
This hands-on activity leads students through brainstorming, launching a business, and learning entrepreneurial skills—all while having fun. With a focus on creativity over resources, students experience the full business cycle and see how big ideas drive innovation!
Could IMSA’s TALENT Program Be the Model for High School Entrepreneurship Education?
Discover how IMSA’s TALENT program equips high school students with real-world skills in entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and innovation. This hands-on program serves as a blueprint for how entrepreneurship education can transform students’ futures—before college.
Pitching Your Business Idea: Essential Skills for High School Students
Help students turn their ideas into impactful presentations with this step-by-step pitching module! This hands-on lesson builds confidence, public speaking skills, and the art of the perfect pitch.
How to Host an Innovation Challenge
Want to bring entrepreneurship and innovation to life in your classroom? The Innovation Challenge module offers everything you need to host an exciting, fast-paced competition where student teams develop and pitch business ideas to solve real-world problems. With this hands-on event, students practice teamwork, creative thinking, and pitching skills while competing for recognition and prizes.
Case Study: Scaling Success – How a Class Project Became a Franchise Triumph
Learn how Joe Keeley turned a class project into College Nannies and Tutors, a thriving franchise. This case study offers students a hands-on look at essential business concepts like market strategy, franchise growth, and entrepreneurial problem-solving, showcasing real-world skills in action.