Program Summary
Length: 12 Weeks
Setting: After-school program
Ages: Pre-K to 6th grade
Location: Chattanooga, Georgia
Resource: Topics in Entrepreneurship Part 1 curriculum
Culminating Event: STEAM fair
Outcome Highlights: Two-thirds of students, on average, reported an increased interest in STEM, creativity, problem-solving, and resilience in the face of failure.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga implemented VentureLab’s free “Topics in Entrepreneurship Part 1“ curriculum to enhance their existing STEM programming in Spring 2024. This initiative created a unique ESTEAM (Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) program that reached approximately 140 students across 6 schools in 2 counties.
Activities 
140 students across 6 sites participated in multi-day STEAM projects (e.g., building catapults), VentureLab entrepreneurship activities, and a “Shark Tank“ style project where students designed products and created commercials. Students particularly enjoyed the lemonade stand activity from the Business Model lesson in Topics in Entrepreneurship Part 1 (Grades 3-5).
Student Experiences
Students shared positive feedback about the program:
“My favorite part was making my own product and using my creative brain.“
YMCA Chattanooga student
“My favorite part was making my own product and using my creative brain.“
YMCA Chattanooga student
ESTEAM Impact
YMCA’s program instructor made a schedule for multi-day ESTEAM projects that incorporated VentureLab no-cost activities. The integration of entrepreneurship education with STEM activities showed promising results:
- 68% of students reported being more interested in STEM after Topics in Entrepreneurship
- 66% of students experienced increased creativity
- 63% wanted to try new problem-solving approaches
- 69% demonstrated increased resilience in the face of failure
These outcomes were accomplished with VentureLab’s free resources, and without any educator training. The YMCA Chattanooga educators truly excelled!
Educator’s Reflection
John expressed his enthusiasm:
“This is great. I am happy to see these results and it looks like a great starting point to full VentureLab program we are beginning this fall.“
Seeing the results of this no-cost implementation, YMCA of Chattanooga is deepening its work with VentureLab. In the 2024-2025 school year, staff will be implementing our Idea to Pitch program, which includes curriculum, training, professional development sessions, custom schedules, and data reporting.
Conclusion
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga’s initiative demonstrates how integrating entrepreneurship education into existing STEM programs can enhance student engagement and develop crucial skills. Based on these positive outcomes, YMCA Chattanooga is expanding their entrepreneurship education efforts by implementing VentureLab’s comprehensive “Idea to Pitch“ program in Fall 2024.
This partnership showcases how VentureLab’s resources can enrich existing educational programs and foster entrepreneurial mindsets in young learners.
