Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Impact

The world is changing faster than ever, and the next generation of leaders will need more than ideas to make a difference. Future Builders: Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Impact invites high school students to step into the role of visionary problem-solver and change-maker.

In this immersive course, students will explore what it really means to think like an entrepreneur: spotting opportunities where others see obstacles, designing creative solutions to pressing challenges, and building ventures that balance innovation with impact. Through a mix of interactive discussions, real-world case studies, team projects, and a final venture showcase, students will learn how to turn passion into action. Together, we’ll look at how entrepreneurs around the world are tackling issues such as climate change, healthcare access, education, and the rise of artificial intelligence, and how students can begin charting their own path in this dynamic landscape.

By the end of the course, each student will have developed a venture concept, practiced communicating their ideas with confidence, and gained a toolkit of entrepreneurial skills they can carry into college, careers, and beyond.

This isn’t just a class about starting companies, it’s about building the future.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Adopt the Entrepreneurial Mindset – Develop curiosity, creativity, and resilience to identify opportunities and approach challenges with confidence.
2. Design Purpose-Driven Solutions – Use innovation tools such as design thinking and lean startup methods to turn ideas into meaningful ventures.
3. Apply Global Awareness to Entrepreneurship – Understand how emerging technologies, climate change, and social issues create both challenges and opportunities for future ventures.
4. Collaborate and Lead Effectively – Build teamwork, communication, and leadership skills through group projects and peer-to-peer feedback.
5. Pitch with Impact – Craft and deliver a clear, compelling venture presentation that communicates both vision and value to an audience.

Tangible Outcomes 

• A Mini Venture Concept – a clearly defined idea (product, service, or initiative) developed through research, ideation, and testing.
• A Pitch Deck or Showcase Presentation – slides, storyboard, or prototype summary they can use to present their venture idea to peers, mentors, or even future competitions.
• An Entrepreneurial Toolkit – practical methods like design thinking, lean startup canvases, customer discovery templates, and storytelling frameworks.
• A Personalized Action Plan – a roadmap outlining next steps for pursuing their idea beyond the course, including resources, networks, and milestones.

Hands-on Activities

• Hands-On Venture Design Labs – Interactive workshops where students move from brainstorming to prototyping ideas using design thinking and lean startup tools.
• Case Study Deep Dives – Analysis of real-world ventures (from startups to social enterprises) that connect global challenges like climate change, AI, and healthcare to entrepreneurial solutions.
• Team Collaboration Projects – Small-group work where students co-create a venture concept, practicing leadership, negotiation, and teamwork.
• Pitch Rehearsals & Showcase – Guided sessions to practice storytelling and presentation skills, culminating in a final showcase where students present their ideas.
• Personal Purpose Mapping – Guided reflection exercises to help students connect their personal passions and values to the problems they choose to solve.
• Place-Based Learning – Visit to the Magnuson Venture Studio to see entrepreneurship in action.

Guest Speakers

• Roy Schmidt - Program Manager, Startup Support at Magnuson Center
• Paula Olson - Senior Program Manager, Design Initiative at Dartmouth

Subject to change

Field Trips

• Magnuson Venture Studio



Information is subject to change as instructors finalize course content and syllabi.