From Classroom to Startup – One Lesson at a Time

Module 1 Lesson 1 - Ideation

🎯 Learning Intention:

Identify and describe the ideation process and explain how it connects to entrepreneurial thinking.

✅ Success Criteria:

- I can describe what ideation means using examples.

- I can explain how ideation supports innovation in business.

- I can begin developing potential business ideas based on personal interest and entrepreneurial ambition.

📘 ACARA Connections:

ACHES043, ACHES044, ACHEK038, ACHEK039

📚 Resources:

- Founda Welcome Video

- 'Who, What, Worth' worksheet

- Business Types Worksheet

- Ideation Brainstorm Template

- Parent Email Template

📝 Learning Activities (60 mins):

1. Course Introduction & Welcome to Founda (10 mins)

- Say to students: “This term you’re going to become entrepreneurs. You’ll create a real or prototype business and learn how to think like an entrepreneur.”

- Play the ‘Welcome to Founda, Young Entrepreneurs’ video.

- After viewing, ask: “What do you think makes someone successful in business?” Write 3 student ideas on the board.

- Emphasise that this course will help them build real-world skills like creativity, resilience, and money-making strategies.

2. Research the Richest Australians (10 mins)

- Hand out the ‘Who, What, Worth’ worksheet.

- Students Google or use provided profiles to find the top 10 richest Australians.

- Ask: “What industries are most represented?” and “Could you see yourself on this list?”

- Teacher Tip: Highlight different paths to wealth—tech, mining, retail—and connect this to the diversity of business ideas students can create.

3. What is Ideation? (5 mins)

- Write the word IDEATION on the board and ask: “What does this word make you think of?”

- After sharing ideas, present this definition: “Ideation is the process of generating, developing, and communicating new ideas.”

- Draw a lightbulb icon and link it to words like: imagination, problem-solving, innovation.

4. Business Types and Examples (10 mins)

- Say: “Businesses come in all shapes and sizes. Let’s look at four common types.”

- On the board, write and explain:

• DTC (Direct to Consumer) – e.g., Who Gives A Crap

• B2B (Business to Business) – e.g., SafetyCulture

• SaaS (Software as a Service) – e.g., Canva

• Service-Based – e.g., tutoring, car washing, dog walking

- Distribute a worksheet or digital task to match these types to examples.

- Ask: “Which of these types could you see yourself running?”

5. Choosing a Business Structure (10 mins)

- Explain the difference between sole trader (solo) and partnership (team of 2).

- Draw a table on the board: 'Sole Trader vs Partnership' with pros and cons (e.g. full profit vs shared ideas).

- Say: “You have 30 seconds to decide – do you want to work solo or with a partner?” Let students move accordingly.

- If any students want to form a group of 3, ask for a short verbal justification.

- Play ‘Things You Need to Consider’ video about group dynamics.

6. Business Idea Brainstorm (10 mins)

- Prompt: “Think of things you wish existed, problems you’ve faced, or hobbies you could turn into a business.”

- Students sketch or write 2–3 ideas on an ideation planning sheet.

- Ask them to identify if their idea is a product or a service.

- Encourage students to take the sheet home and talk to parents about their ideas.

🧠 Entrepreneurial Thinking Focus:

- Recognising opportunities (rich list + idea brainstorming)

- Managing risk (team selection and business model)

- Acting with initiative (taking first steps toward business ideation)

🎨 UDL Considerations:

- Allow visual (mind map/sketch), verbal (partner discussion), or written (worksheet) approaches

- Use real-world examples and videos for engagement and clarity

🔍 Student Reflection Prompt:

Which idea are you most excited about and why? What challenges might you face and how could you overcome them?

Join Founda's community for the following resources: Founda video. Business types worksheet. Parent email template about Founda course. Mentor email template.

Lesson 2 - Ideation

🎯 Learning Intention:

Follow a structured ideation process to generate and refine potential business ideas.

✅ Success Criteria:

- I can use structured methods to generate multiple business ideas.

- I can explain how my ideas link to real-world needs, interests, or problems.

- I can begin evaluating which business ideas are most feasible.

📘 ACARA Connections:

ACHES043, ACHES044

📚 Resources:

- Founda 'It’s Business Idea Time' Video

- Crazy 8s Worksheet

- Brainstorm Template (for problems, passions, contacts)

- Idea Ranking Sheet

📝 Learning Activities (60 mins):

1. Recap & Entrepreneur Story (5 mins)

- Ask: “Who remembers what ideation means?” Briefly recap Lesson 1 key ideas (ideation, business types, sole trader vs partnership).

- Share a short inspirational story of an Australian entrepreneur (e.g., Melanie Perkins of Canva or Simon Griffiths of Who Gives A Crap).

- Ask: “What problem did this entrepreneur solve? What inspired their business idea?”

2. Group Re-Formation & Idea Generation Tools (5 mins)

- Ensure students are in their chosen structure (solo or partnership).

- Play the Founda video: 'It’s Business Idea Time!' to set up the activity.

- Emphasise eco-friendly and sustainable thinking as a Founda value.

3. Brainstorming Methods (30 mins)

- Students complete four ideation tools, one at a time. Time each for 6–8 minutes:

a) Five Problems: Students list five problems they face in daily life.

b) Passions & Interests: List things they enjoy doing or care about.

c) Who Do I Know?: Identify contacts who might support a business idea.

d) Crazy 8s: Use the worksheet to sketch 8 quick business ideas in 8 minutes.

- Circulate and prompt students who are stuck with questions like:

• What do your friends complain about?

• What clubs or sports are you involved in?

• What apps or services do you wish were better?

4. Ranking and Evaluating Ideas (15 mins)

- Students select their top 5 business ideas.

- For each idea, they answer: What makes this idea interesting? What problem does it solve?

- Use a scaffold to rank ideas: Most to least feasible.

- Students label each with the business type (DTC, B2B, SaaS, service).

5. Homework – Seek Input (5 mins)

- Students are to talk to parents/family about their ideas.

- Ask: “Which idea do they think is most achievable or interesting?”

🔍 Student Reflection Prompt:

Which idea are you most excited about and why? What challenges might you face and how could you overcome them?

🎨 UDL Considerations:

- Allow students to record ideas visually (sketches), verbally (audio notes), or in writing.

- Provide printed or digital templates for each brainstorming activity.

🧠 Entrepreneurial Thinking Focus:

- Recognising opportunities through structured idea generation

- Acting with initiative by developing multiple possibilities

- Managing risk by evaluating feasibility early

Lesson 3 - Ideation

🎯 Learning Intention:

Identify customer problems and explain how a business idea can provide a solution.

✅ Success Criteria:

- I can describe what a customer pain point is and why it matters.

- I can match my business ideas to specific problems they aim to solve.

- I can select and justify one business idea to take forward.

📘 ACARA Connections:

ACHES043, ACHES044

📚 Resources:

- Founda 'Problem & Solution' Video

- Problem/Solution Worksheet

- Business Idea Selection Template

📝 Learning Activities (60 mins):

1. Recap & Entrepreneur Story (5 mins)

- Ask: “What did we work on last lesson?” Briefly revise the Crazy 8s, ranking ideas, and business types.

- Share a short case study (e.g., Apple solving user experience problems or Nike solving performance and brand identity).

- Ask: “What problems did they solve? How did their product or service become the solution?”

2. Problem and Solution Framework (10 mins)

- Write on the board:

• Problem = A specific challenge or pain point experienced by a customer

• Solution = A product or service that helps solve that problem

- Play the Founda video on 'Problem and Solution Thinking'.

- Provide real-world examples:

• Uber: Problem – Hard to find taxis; Solution – On-demand app for transport

• Canva: Problem – Graphic design is hard without training; Solution – Easy-to-use design platform

3. Match Problems to Ideas (20 mins)

- Students revisit their top 3–5 business ideas from Lesson 2.

- For each idea, they complete a worksheet identifying:

1) The customer problem it solves

2) The product or service (solution)

3) Who experiences this problem (target audience)

- Ask students to write at least three problems and three solutions for each idea.

- Teacher circulates and prompts thinking: “How does your idea make life easier for someone?”

4. Cementing the Business Idea (15 mins)

- Students review all their work and select one business idea to move forward with.

- On the board, write: “Your chosen idea should be… something you're passionate about, solves a real problem, and feels doable.”

- Students complete a short summary sheet with:

- Business name (draft)

- Business type

- Main customer problem

- Product/service solution

5. Homework – Founder Mindset (5 mins)

- Ask students to talk with family or friends and say: “I’ve decided on a business idea!”

- Encourage them to get feedback on their problem and solution.

- Optional: Write a sentence or two about what excites them about this idea.

🔍 Student Reflection Prompt:

Which idea are you most excited about and why? What challenges might you face and how could you overcome them?

🎨 UDL Considerations:

- Students may choose to present problem/solution diagrams visually (drawings, flowcharts), in writing, or orally.

- Allow one-on-one discussion for those who benefit from verbal processing.

🧠 Entrepreneurial Thinking Focus:

- Recognising opportunities by identifying pain points

- Acting with initiative in selecting a viable business idea

- Managing risk through analysis of idea feasibility

14 Modules. One Step-by-Step Journey for Teachers.

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