Innovation in education addressed at Texas Economic Development Council 2018 Conference

BARRINGTON, Ill., Oct. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Margarita Geleske, Chief Evangelist of Uncharted Learning (UL), has been invited by the Texas Economic Development Council to speak at the 2018 Annual Conference, held Oct. 17-19 in Fort Worth, Texas. The focus of this year's conference is "E-commerce, Technology and Innovation:  The Future of Business."  Geleske will address "Entrepreneurship and Enterprise in the Classroom:  A Real-World Learning Experience."

Geleske is co-collaborator of UL, a not-for-profit organization, dedicated to bringing real-world experiential learning to the classroom.  She will highlight the INCubatoredu program, as an example of innovation in education and the impact that this entrepreneurial curriculum has had on high school students and their communities. This program involves a rigorous yearlong curriculum where student teams create, develop, test and potentially launch a business. Aided by a teacher trained in the INCubatoredu methodology and guided by community business leaders who serve as content experts and mentors, the student teams are introduced to all aspects of starting a new business.  The class culminates with students pitching their ideas to real-world investors for potential funding for their new business.    

"This class is a game-changer in education," Geleske said. "The curriculum introduces high school students to the challenges and promise of developing a business of their own, working with entrepreneurs and business experts, and creating opportunities for themselves that they didn't even know that they had.  In addition, teachers benefit from the professional development and the community benefits from collaborating with the next generation who will turn some of these ideas into thriving businesses that will create jobs and opportunities for others."

Geleske will be joined on this panel by leaders from some of the 19 schools in Texas that are currently offering the INCubatoredu program in their districts.  Dr. Laina McDonald of Irving ISD, William Lee and Lindsay Ayers of Lewisville ISD; and Dr. Katie Kordel of Frisco ISD will share examples of the successful impact that the INCubatoredu program has had on their students, teachers and communities.  The success stories are real as are the benefits of experiential learning in entrepreneurship programs in our high schools. When we as a community collaborate on innovative teaching methods to benefit our students, the potential for a successful future for all is real.

SOURCE Uncharted Learning