February 22, 2008
EntrepreneurShip Investigation Working its Way Across Nebraska
LINCOLN, Neb. — When planners conceived the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's EntrepreneurShip Investigation, or ESI, curriculum, they knew it would have wide appeal. They knew after all the motivations of innovative people are indiscriminate. They can spark at any age, in any place.
As the 4-H curriculum spread across Nebraska and was piloted last year, it made believers out of individuals, organizations, educators, schools and communities big and small. In its debut year, interest in ESI continues to grow across the state – and the country.
And why pair entrepreneurship curriculum with 4-H? Well, because it just made sense. Thirty-four percent of 4-H'ers ages 5-19 are enrolled in 4-H in Nebraska, said Patricia Fairchild, 4-H curriculum design and youth entrepreneur specialist at UNL. Tie that in with 110 project areas offered by 4-H, and the curriculum is well on its way to helping youth develop that inner Bill Gates or Cornelius Vanderbilt. ESI also can be incorporated in schools.
Janita Pavelka, a Bellevue mother of four who homeschools her children, started using ESI a year ago. She started with her children but soon was sharing the curriculum with other homeschoolers at the Omaha Homeschool Learning Center.
"4-H has a good reputation, and this curriculum is easy to teach and offers practical, hands-on activities," said Pavelka.
The Pavelka family of six lays claim to 13 businesses of its own.
From daughter Rachel's Pet Services to the family's Pav Pack Popcorn, she said, owning your own business and being an entrepreneur gives her family the opportunity to "live your passion to make a living."
And it's entrepreneurs like the Pavelkas who enhance their communities through entrepreneurship.
Doris Lux, director of the Entrepreneur Center at Central Community College-Columbus campus, also used the curriculum with several area high schools since the start of the pilot program
last spring and summer. She currently is using the curriculum with 16 high school students from Cedar Rapids, Fullerton, Lakeview High School, Twin River High School, Schuyler and Columbus.
Lux meets with students on Saturday morning. The students get to meet with mentors and also will have a product fair in April. Students have come up with business ideas ranging from a delivery service for senior citizens to cake decorating.
Lux believes that the younger people are exposed to being an entrepreneur, the more they get into the mind set that might even help them start a business of their own someday. In addition to working at CCC-Columbus, Lux also is an entrepreneur herself, owning Red Apple Ceramics and Scrapbooking in Columbus.
She said this curriculum allows potential entrepreneurs to get started networking within their communities and gets youth involved.
"Entrepreneurship really helps build communities in Nebraska," she said.
And keeping talented Nebraska youth in Nebraska also is what ESI is all about.
Gregg Christensen, entrepreneurship and career education specialist for the Nebraska Department of Education who is on the ESI committee, said the curriculum not only builds communities and keeps youth in the state, but it shows youth that this is a serious career path.
Spreading the entrepreneurship initiative across the state will help youth develop a passion for entrepreneurship and get them involved in their communities, he said.
Entrepreneur Keith Ziegenbein of KZCO Inc. in Ashland agrees.
"Entrepreneurship doesn't have to be grandiose," he said. And it is a great way to get kids thinking about starting their own business and staying in their communities.
Ziegenbein and his brother Kevin started their family business in 1976 after developing a hydraulic anhydrous ammonia shutoff valve.
Broadcasts of these Nebraska entrepreneurs also will be available Feb. 28 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. during the 2008 National Entrepreneur Week Summit Feb. 23-March 1.
For more information about ESI, visit the Web at EntrepreneurShip Investigation.
2/22/08-SK Patricia Fairchild - Ph.D.
4-H Youth Development Associate Professor (402) 472-4067
 
Sandi Alswager Karstens IANR News and Photography (402) 472-3030
Department:
4-H Youth Development
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