Welcome to the VentureLab blog, your hub for innovative entrepreneurial education resources and inspiration. Explore engaging ESTEAM articles, discover free educational resources (hands-on activities and downloads) , and get inspired by classroom and individual success stories from our community.

  • New Avenue VentureLab: A Summer Camp That Empowers Young Innovators

    Program Summary Length: 8 weeks  Setting: Summer Camp Ages: K – 8th graders Location: St. Louis, MO Resource: ESTEAM Design Challenge & Idea to…

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  • Empowering Youth Artisans through Entrepreneurship: Craft Lake City’s Program for the DIY Fest Kid Row Market

    Program Summary Length: 8 weeks Setting: After-school Ages: 3rd-12th graders Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Resource: Spark Mentorship & Materials Program Culminating Event: Market…

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  • Erin Malone Headshot Certified Advocate in St. Louis

    Championing Youth Entrepreneurship in Afterschool: Meet Erin Malone, a VentureLab Certified Advocate in St. Louis

    VentureLab is proud to celebrate Erin’s accomplishments by awarding her the status of a VentureLab Certified Advocate for her contribution to the youth entrepreneurship…

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  • Peter Gioia, VentureLab Certified Educator

    Meet Peter Gioia, a VentureLab Certified Educator in St. Louis

    VentureLab celebrates Peter Gioia, CAPSA Manager at Mission: St. Louis Beyond School, whose passion for youth development is transforming lives through entrepreneurship education. From…

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  • Together for Youth: Celebrating Afterschool, Supporting What Works

    VentureLab fully backs the release of $1.3 billion in 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding—restoring vital after-school and summer enrichment across 10,000+ U.S. programs. Our ESTEAM®…

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  • Innovative Summer Learning in Ohio: Middle Schoolers Explore Entrepreneurship Through Mooz Diner

    Adapting a VentureLab Activity to Engage Middle Schoolers at Summer Camp

    Discover how VentureLab educator Theresa Paterra elevated the Mooz Diner activity for grades 6–8 summer camp—adding pitch, marketing & customer‑service challenges, authentic community judges, and ESTEAM career…

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  • Empowering Youth and Families Through ESTEAM®: VentureLab at OSTI-CON 2025

    VentureLab Certified Educator Johnny Rochell took the stage at OSTI-CON 2025 to share how entrepreneurship and family engagement can spark confidence in youth. His…

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  • VentureLab and Mission St. Louis Featured In The St. Louis American

    Beyond School sparks young entrepreneurs! 🌟 K–8 students in St. Louis joined Mission: St. Louis’s 16-week “Beyond School” entrepreneurship program—teaming with VentureLab—pitching ideas like cleaning products and…

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  • YWLA Students (4 girls)

    YWLA Foundation Hosts Second Annual Girls Summer Entrepreneurship Program

    Discover key insights and strategies from GEC 2025 on empowering youth entrepreneurship—real-world examples, inclusive ecosystems, and scaling impact.

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  • Group of 4 panelists for Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2025: Youth Entrepreneurship Strategies

    Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2025: Youth Entrepreneurship Strategies

    Discover key insights and strategies from GEC 2025 on empowering youth entrepreneurship—real-world examples, inclusive ecosystems, and scaling impact.

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  • MSL Beyond School Pitch Event May 2025 Group Photo

    VentureLab & Mission: St. Louis Empower Young Entrepreneurs

    Discover how VentureLab and Mission: St. Louis partnered on a 16-week after-school Idea to Pitch® Program, empowering 40+ students to prototype and pitch business…

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  • Book Cover title : GEN Z TEENS TAKE ACTION Stories of circumstance, passion and opportunity by Kelli Peterson.

    VentureLab Alumni Featured in ‘Gen Z Teens Take Action’

    Celebrate VentureLab alumni featured in Kelli Peterson’s Gen Z Teens Take Action book and discover how our ESTEAM® framework empowers youth innovation.

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