Middle school public students are pioneering a project-based learning programme aimed at boosting entrepreneurship.

Students in business studies classes at Dellwood Middle School, Whitney Institute Middle School and Sandys Secondary Middle School have been showcasing their entrepreneurial skills as part of the Vendor Day Marketplace.

Pupils aged 11 to 12 learn foundation business concepts and create their own business plans.

The marketplace enables them to run their own pop-up stalls, conduct cash transactions and retain their net profits.

Vendor Days involve students, school staff and parents with the wider community and other entrepreneurs.

Items up for sale range from handmade jewellery, scented candles and homemade haircare products to home-baked snacks, healthy drinks and ice cream floats.

Stacey Daniels, business studies teacher at Dellwood Middle School, said students loved learning about entrepreneurship and applying their knowledge towards their own businesses.

“Parents play a significant role by investing in their child's business and assisting with set-up and sales. At the end of the unit, students determine if their business made a profit or a loss.”

She called it “an awesome real-world experience".

Andrea Dill, business studies teacher at Whitney Institute Middle School, said students came away with a real-world understanding of the concepts learnt during the semester.

“Students gain an appreciation for calculating costs and determining profit or loss. They were thrilled to see the monetary rewards of their hard work.”

She said entrepreneurial parents taken with the authenticity of the experience had volunteered to help next semester.

Chris Naylor, deputy principal at Sandys Secondary Middle School, said the events were a clear demonstration of marketable skills and good planning.

The Department of Education recently partnered with the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative in middle school business studies classes.

Joe Mahoney, executive director of YEI, emphasised the importance of real-world experience for teaching entrepreneurship.

He added: "Seeing young entrepreneurs interact with their customers is energising. The looks on students' faces when they realise they made a profit is something to behold.“

Thanks to a grant from HSBC Group and HSBC Bank Bermuda, YEI is enhancing enterprise education within government schools.

Tanya Bule, HSBC Bermuda's head of wealth personal banking, said it was a key part of the bank’s community investment to empower local youth.

YEI also supports a M2 career exploration module being piloted in business studies classes across the island.

YEI hopes to extend middle school enterprise education to year 7 and year 8 students in parish primary schools.

Nekesha Holdipp, social studies and business studies education officer, said it was crucial for young people to develop financial literacy and understand how the economy works.

“With current M1 business studies students eager to showcase their businesses at the end of May, the positive impact of this partnership and the dedicated work of our colleagues is undeniable."

Families associated with the schools were encouraged to come out and support budding entrepreneurs.