Our K12 Initiatives
We empower K12 students to become the entrepreneurs of tomorrow by offering a unique continuum of engaging, hands-on programs that inspire creativity, foster leadership, and cultivate real-world business skills from grade school through high school. Our K12 Initiatives guide students as they explore their entrepreneurial potential, develop essential business skills, and connect with a supportive community of mentors and industry leaders.
Lemonade Day
A national program, Lemonade Day has helped over a million young entrepreneurs open lemonade stands since its launch in 2007. We will engage younger students in the entrepreneurial spirit through a fun, community-based event through our partnership with The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington.
Mentors guide children through the lessons via the My Lemonade Day app and help them through the journey of planning, launching, and operating a business. Leading into the event, the young participants are invited to The Mill to learn business basics like marketing, financial literacy, and customer service from community partners at Lemonade Day University. Participating lemonade stands are evaluated by volunteer judges and awarded prizes in different categories, such as Most Innovative and Best Tasting. Participants get to keep all their profits and are encouraged to spend some, save some, and share some.
High School Innovation Internship
For high school students interested in problem-solving, innovation, and entrepreneurship, The Mill offers a unique opportunity for them to turn their business ideas into reality. Over the course of this program, students receive expert mentorship, access to resources, and a structured curriculum that guides them through every step of building a business. Plus, they earn dual credit with Ivy Tech Community College and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from Ivy Tech.
Details:
- Participants must be a junior or senior and enrolled in MCCSC, RBBCSC, or Brown County Schools.
- Hands-On Experience: Work on your own startup idea or join a team to collaborate on a business venture.
- Expert Mentorship: Gain insights and guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals including IU Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering.
- Structured Curriculum: Follow a comprehensive curriculum that covers key topics like business planning, marketing, finance, and more.
- Dual Credit: Earn college credit with Ivy Tech Community College while you learn and grow your business.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow students, industry experts, and potential investors to expand your professional network.
To apply, students should speak with their guidance counselor.
High School Innovation Internship
For high school students interested in problem-solving, innovation, and entrepreneurship, The Mill offers a unique opportunity for them to turn their business ideas into reality. Over the course of this program, students receive expert mentorship, access to resources, and a structured curriculum that guides them through every step of building a business. Plus, they earn dual credit with Ivy Tech Community College and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from Ivy Tech.
Details:
- Participants must be a junior or senior and enrolled in MCCSC, RBBCSC, or Brown County Schools.
- Hands-On Experience: Work on your own startup idea or join a team to collaborate on a business venture.
- Expert Mentorship: Gain insights and guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals including IU Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering.
- Structured Curriculum: Follow a comprehensive curriculum that covers key topics like business planning, marketing, finance, and more.
- Dual Credit: Earn college credit with Ivy Tech Community College while you learn and grow your business.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow students, industry experts, and potential investors to expand your professional network.
To apply, students should speak with their guidance counselor.
Young Entrepreneurs Camp
Young Entrepreneurs Camp teaches teenage participants from the Boys & Girls Club how to take a product idea they’re passionate about and turn it into reality. They learn critical skills that help them identify their ideal customer, understand the business opportunity, figure out how to make money from their idea, how to market it, and then create a marketable prototype. The camp runs over six weeks in the summer, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington, and culminates in a “business bazaar” at the end of the summer, where they sell their product to family, friends, and members of the community. All the profits go right back to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington which allow participants to purchase things for their club. To enroll your child, inquire through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington
upSTRTER Career Fair
The upSTRTER Opportunity Fair (Student Resource fair for Trades & Entrepreneurship Recruitment) teaches high school students critical skills for seeking employment after graduation, introduces them to the entrepreneurial support systems available in Bloomington, and gets them in front of hiring businesses. Students travel to The Mill during school hours and speak with local employers and groups like Ivy Tech and The Mill.
Nurturing Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs
We partner with schools and other organizations to support and empower kids to find their entrepreneurial path. Contact us if you're interested in joining our K12 initiatives!