Hands-On Learning Brings Entrepreneurship to Life for Students in NPSC's STEAM Summer Program
Since early July, students in Grades 4-7 participating in the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board’s (NPSC) Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Summer Program have been stepping into the role of entrepreneurs, designing and developing their own water bottle sticker business, Sticker World.
On July 16, following several days of learning and planning, those students presented their start-up idea to members of NPSC’s Senior Administration Team in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch for a small business loan. The students’ well-developed business plan proved highly convincing, with members of the Senior Administration Team choosing to “invest” in their idea by approving their full funding request.
The small business project was inspired by the novel Front Desk by Kelly Yang, which serves as the literacy component of the STEAM Summer Program this year. As the story follows a young protagonist named Mia who manages the front desk of a motel, program teachers Nancy Saunders, Kylie Staples, and Andrea Savoie identified an opportunity to connect the text to a hands-on experience aligned with the program’s focus on math and financial literacy.
“Students were constantly drawing parallels between Mia’s experiences in Front Desk and the business they were building themselves,” said Nancy Saunders, STEAM Summer Program teacher. “As they learned about entrepreneurship through the novel, they were simultaneously applying those concepts in class, helping bridge the gap between what they were reading and what they were doing.” |
A student presents during the "Shark Tank"-style pitch for a small business loan. |
Sarah White from The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound helps students develop their business plan. |
With the support of community partners, including Sarah White from The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound and graphic designer Tricia Tucker, students further developed their understanding of business planning and financial decision-making, while also creating promotional materials to support their business within the Summer School environment.
Throughout the pitch process, students demonstrated increased confidence in their ability to communicate ideas clearly, respond to questions, and think critically about their business model. The presentation highlighted not only creativity and innovation, but also a strong understanding of how financial decisions impact outcomes. |
The impact of the project was evident during the discussion that followed the business pitch, when one member of the Senior Administration Team asked how many students could see themselves starting their own business in the future. Several hands immediately went up across the room—an encouraging reflection of the curiosity and emerging sense of possibility students are developing through the program.
“Financial literacy becomes most meaningful when students have opportunities to apply it in authentic ways,” said Paula Mann, Chief Executive Officer. “Experiences like this help students build their understanding of budgeting, planning, and decision-making through entrepreneurship, allowing them to engage with these concepts in ways that are both relevant and memorable.”
Learning will continue beyond the pitch as students bring their business to market through a dedicated day of sales. By engaging with authentic audiences — including fellow students in NPSC’s Summer School programs and their families — students will apply their learning in a real-world context, communicating with and serving customers.
Proceeds from the initiative will be donated to the North Bay Food Bank, reinforcing the importance of community-minded leadership and social responsibility alongside entrepreneurial learning.
Experiences like this reflect NPSC’s commitment to providing meaningful, real-world learning opportunities that help students develop the skills and competencies they need to succeed, explore diverse pathways, and build confidence in their abilities.
