What if elementary students could experience entrepreneurship as realistically as adults do? At Instituto Thomas Jefferson Valle Real, we made it happen!
It all began with a simple question from two 5th grade students: “Can we do something to sell, like the middle and high school students do?”
That spark of curiosity turned into a formative experience that awakened creativity, leadership, and an entrepreneurial mindset in our youngest learners.
Entrepreneurship from a young age: a skill for life
We believe today’s world needs people with critical thinking, resilience, and practical skills. That’s why we design projects that go beyond academic content to prepare students to solve real-world problems.
Inspired by the well-known British show Dragon’s Den, our Makerspace teacher, Esteban Meza (known to his students as “Tebo”), guided them through every step of the process: from generating viable ideas and building budgets to designing marketing campaigns and presenting their proposals to a real panel of entrepreneurs.
Experiences like this don’t just shape students: They help build future leaders..
From classroom to real-world practice: entrepreneurship in action
After several weeks of preparation, student teams pitched their ideas to a panel of parents with real business experience. The response was so enthusiastic that what started with just three teams turned into a full fair with 16 creative projects.
Dragon’s Market
The next day brought the moment everyone was waiting for: Dragon’s Market. Students set up their booths, sold products they made themselves, handled real-time challenges, and discovered what it means to earn a customer’s trust (and money).
And yes — many sold out before noon!
More than a class: a transformational experience
Throughout the project, students used tools like Canva, Google Suite, and even artificial intelligence. They learned to stay organized, communicate ideas clearly, and collaborate effectively. But most importantly, they gained confidence and developed life-ready skills.
These kinds of initiatives aren’t isolated events — they’re a core part of our educational approach, where students learn by doing, express themselves freely, and explore their talents from an early age.
Can you imagine your child living experiences like this?
At ITJ, every project is an opportunity to plant the seeds of learning that go far beyond the classroom. We invite more families to discover how we’re preparing tomorrow’s leaders, today.
👉 Schedule a visit and explore what your child’s future could look like at Instituto Thomas Jefferson Valle Real.
Be part of our community! Click the link below to learn more and get in touch: https://itj.edu.mx/vallereal/contacto/
