Nearly 200 primary students from seven schools across Waterford city and county are participating in this year’s LEAP Project.
The LEAP Showcase takes place at SETU over Thursday 15 and Friday 16 June in the health science building.
The project, sponsored by LEO Waterford and in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland, aims to foster entrepreneurship and an enterprise spirit among young students in Waterford.
During the project, local businesses and mentors serve as role models, providing students with valuable insights into self-employment and small business ownership. The participating schools include Dunhill N.S., Tramore Educate Together, Réalt Na Mara N.S., St. Marys B.N.S. Ferrybank, St. Ursula's Primary, St. John of God N.S. and St. Mary's N.S. Ballygunner.
Seven volunteers, who are entrepreneurs or working in local industries, visited each class multiple times. They engaged with the students, teaching them about entrepreneurship, brainstorming business ideas, designing logos, understanding the importance of a business name, exploring marketing concepts (such as the 4 P's), and developing prototyping and negotiation skills.
The culmination of the project is the LEAP Showcase, where students will present their business plans in the form of posters to the judges, known as the FROGS (For Recognition Of Greatness in Students).
Each student will receive a certificate of achievement, and one team from each school will be awarded a plaque to recognise their outstanding achievement.
It's an excellent initiative that not only introduces young students to the world of entrepreneurship but also provides them with practical skills and encourages creativity and innovation. Call along to the event and see what it is all about. Check out LEO Waterford and Junior Achievement Ireland on Twitter.