This course introduces the concepts of innovation and impact in the social sector and teaches students to apply an entrepreneurial mindset to create sustainable solutions that address social needs in our community and beyond. We will explore what makes social enterprises unique, as well as various financial and corporate structures they might take, including for-profit, nonprofit, B-corp and hybrid structures that entrepreneurs are creating around the world. Through experiential learning, students will be exposed to social innovation. Students will use projects and both local and international case studies to discover the mindsets and skills that drive real-world change. As a final project, students will identify a social problem and apply their learnings to assess and provide creative solutions by researching, planning, developing, and proposing at least one sustainable solution that would benefit the community served by a specific nonprofit. Students will learn about and implement the following tools in their work: ethnographic research, human-centered design/design thinking, rapid prototyping, high and low-tech experimentation, and pathways for scaling solutions.

By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze and evaluate qualitative data to develop and implement solutions. Students will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills by working individually and in groups, and will discuss, write about and present solutions. Equally important to success in this class will be the ability to practice humility, open-mindedness and concern for others.

This course is also a DECA approved course.