How to be an ethical entrepreneur - Year 7 & 8

Activity Introduction

Quick summary: Students will explore and build their current knowledge of the role and responsibilities of entrepreneurs and businesses in addressing social issues. Students are asked to watch a TED talk about several ethical entrepreneurs and then find examples of ethical entrepreneurs and businesses in their community. They will then create a billboard for this entrepreneur or business.

We’ve taken elements of this lesson and adapted them for remote learning. You can find these activities here and here.

This lesson supports students to inquire into the big idea of ‘real wealth’. Students develop an understanding of shared values, and build their sustainable and ethical financial knowledge, equipping them with the skills to make sound financial decisions based on social, environmental and economical merit.

Learning goals:

Students develop an understanding of the characteristics of entrepreneurs and successful businesses.
Students understand how ethical entrepreneurs and businesses differ to other entrepreneurs and businesses.

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding, Literacy.

Cross-curriculum Priority: Sustainability OI.6., OI.8.

Australian Curriculum content description:

Year 7 Economics and Business

Characteristics of entrepreneurs and successful businesses (ACHEK019)

Year 8 Economics and Business

The rights and responsibilities of consumers and businesses in Australia (ACHEK029)

Syllabus Outcomes: C4.2, C4.3, C4.4.

Topic: Consumption

Unit of lessons: Real Wealth Year 7 & 8

Time required: 60 minutes + time for preparation and homework.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – oversee activity and facilitate discussion.

Resources required: Student worksheet – one paper copy per student OR access to computer/tablet with internet access. Internet access for each student for video viewing, headphones for each student if viewing videos in class. One copy of the Billboard Judging Criteria for each student. Real Wealth Cheat Sheet, Glossary Secondary.

Digital technology opportunities: Students can use a range of apps and software available to them to design their billboard (but paper will also work). Digital sharing capabilities.

Homework and extension opportunities: Includes opportunities for homework and extension.

Keywords: entrepreneur, ethical entrepreneur, business, project, billboard.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher Preparation

Overarching learning goal: Students develop an understanding of the characteristics of entrepreneurs and successful businesses and understand how ethical entrepreneurs and businesses differ to other entrepreneurs and businesses.

Teacher Content Information: In response to increased awareness, many businesses are giving greater attention to the social and environmental impacts of their businesses. Concepts like corporate social responsibility (CSR) and shared value have emerged as ways to account for and capitalise on the environmental and social considerations of business.

The concept of ethical entrepreneurship is very much in line with these approaches since it involves businesses adopting innovative solutions to social problems, while at the same time achieving the important business goal of profitability.

Successful entrepreneurs often exhibit common behaviours and skills that they bring to their business, like establishing a shared vision and demonstrating

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Student Worksheet

Thought Starter: Can businesses make money while also solving social problems?

We all know that businesses are about providing goods and services in exchange for money. We also know that it is usually the responsibility of governments and non-government/non-profit organisations to solve social problems like crime and unemployment and environmental problems like habitat loss and pollution. However, wouldn’t it be great if businesses could help find ways to address these social and environmental problems while also making a profit?

Watch the video and complete the questions below:

Majora Carter: 3 Stories of Local Eco-Entrepreneurship (https://www.ted.com/talks/majora_carter_3_stories_of_local_ecoactivism)

In 25 words or less, summarise what you saw in this video:

What was most interesting about this video?

What did you want to know more about?

What are your thoughts about businesses or entrepreneurs that help solve social or environmental problems while making money?

Examp...

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Activity: How to be an ethical entrepreneur – Year 7 & 8

Activity Introduction