UM-Flint to host fifth annual Young Sharks/Junior Sharks entrepreneurship competition, May 28-29

More than 400 K-12 students in grades three through eight will put their entrepreneurial concepts to the test during the University of Michigan-Flint's Young Sharks/Junior Sharks pitch competition. The event, now in its fifth year, will take place May 28-29 on campus. New for 2025, the competition's two-day duration will allow each age group more time to display their work and engage with other teams' ideas. Young Sharks (grades three to five) will compete May 28 at the Riverfront Conference Center, while the Junior Sharks (grades six to eight) competition will take place at the Harding Mott University Center.

The annual competition is the culmination of a yearlong integration of entrepreneurship, economics and innovation into existing K-12 curricula. Participating teachers attend a professional development workshop and then lead students through every phase of the entrepreneurial process, from ideation to development to the pitch.

Students compete in their classrooms prior to the event, with each class winner advancing to the pitch competition. However, all students have the opportunity to display their ideas. The top three teams from both the Young Sharks and Junior Sharks divisions will receive crystal plaques and gift cards to recognize their achievements. 

Participating schools include Bobcat Innovation, Brendel Elementary, Grand Blanc East Middle School, Grand Blanc West Middle School, Mason Elementary and Myers Elementary. 

"Year after year, we hear from teachers that this is one of the favorite events for the students to participate in as the curriculum provides a fun, engaging and innovative way to teach economics and entrepreneurship," said Paula Nas, director of the Office of Economic Development at UM-Flint. "Interest has grown so much that we have now expanded to two full days for the pitch competition and celebration of student learning."

Nas said they designed the lesson plans to be easily implemented by teachers and to align with the state of Michigan's content standards. 

"The curriculum covers everything from what it means to be an entrepreneur, how to innovate and work as a team, and fundamental concepts of revenues, costs and profit. In addition to economics, the curriculum also incorporates math, social studies and writing."

Jason Vallimont, a science teacher at Bobcat Innovation, has seen the impact that the Young Sharks/Junior Sharks curriculum can have on students. 

"My classes' learning journeys include experiences in teamwork, perseverance, using the engineering process, 3D printing, and growing from feedback," he said. "Some students have even reached out to experts in the field to receive feedback. This program is an amazing real-world experience for students."

While the yearlong curriculum offers K-12 students the opportunity to learn a broad array of real-world skills, the competition also allows them to connect with industry leaders and university professors. The judges for the Young Sharks competition are:

• Veronica Alexander, human resources consultant and wife of UM-Flint Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander
• Keith Kelley, associate dean of the School of Management
• Josh Freeman, Genesee County director of administration

The Junior Sharks judges include:

• Anna Church, program manager for the Hagerman Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Dan Command, the largest influencer in the beard product industry
• Shirl Donaldson, assistant professor of engineering

The competition is supported by a grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. 

More information about Young Sharks/Junior Sharks can be found on the program's webpage. Educators interested in participating can contact Nas at [email protected].