4-H/FCS Impact Brief

 

Theme:           Life Skill/Entrepreneurial Education

 

Program Title:            Mini-Society®

 

The Challenge:           Small businesses have led the way in the United States’ longest economic boom.  In addition to added employment, small businesses contribute nearly one-quarter of the Gross National Product. To continue the small business trends, individuals need to be made aware of the idea and opportunities that entrepreneurship brings. 

On the other hand, small businesses remain a risky endeavor.  In one 1996 report, 40% of companies failed within the first 5 years (Case, 1996).  Two significant factors that keep businesses from failing have been found to be education and the fact that the entrepreneur’s parents had owned their own business. (Luisser, 1995) 

Today’s youth are interested in business ownership opportunities.  Already over 42% of 14 year old teens are operating a free-lance type job (Lach, 1999).  Seventy percent of high school students and 84% of college students want to be an entrepreneur (Kourilsky, M.L. 1995; Stanforth & Muske).

 

Extension’s Response:          Under the leadership of Dr. Glenn Muske, a grant was obtained from the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership for six programs in Northeast Oklahoma to conduct Mini-Society®, a program that “provides children with opportunities to experience entrepreneurship [and] teaches entrepreneurship concepts”.  The team comprised of county OSU Extension educators and Langston personnel attended an in-depth training on Mini-Society® at the National 4-H Center.  The individual educators then adapted the program to meet the needs of their county clientele and conducted the program in a variety of ways for the past two years. 

 

Outcome:        Okfuskee County OSU Extension Center staff conducted Mini-Society® as a summertime activity for youth aged 9 – 13 years old.  During the summer of 2000, 13 youth attended 24 hours of the educational opportunity – eight hours the first day and four hours the following four days.  During the summer of 2001, 17 participants were active in the 21 hours of Mini-Society® which were held for seven consecutive weekdays, three hours per day. 

              Participants had a part in designing and developing their own society as well as creating the society’s name, flag, and currency.  They identified tasks for which they initially earned money and identified opportunities to provide goods and services to fellow citizens.  The democratic process was utilized during town or “society” meetings.  Another outcome of the program was that participants were able to identify such business and economic terms as they participated in starting their own business.  Some of the terms included scarcity, goods and services, monopoly and competition, profit and loss, entrepreneur, etc.  During the starting and maintenance of their own businesses terms are taught and “debriefed” as necessary.

 

Impact:           A pre and post test comprised of key business concepts was administered to those attending in Okfuskee County.  In 2000, the average score on those taking the pre-test was a 32.5 and the average score on those taking the post-test was a 91.8.  When asked “What was your favorite part about Mini-Society®”, most of the comments were “making your own business”, “making money from your business”, “got to sell stuff”, etc. 

            In 2001, the average score on those taking the pre-test was 35.71 and the average score on those taking the post-test was a 70.59.  The favorite activities as stated by participants included “beginning a business”, “the town meetings”, “the business part of making money”, “choosing the money and city name”, etc.  Eighty percent of the participants will return next year.  Of those not returning, one of the main reasons is that they “will be too old” to attend. 

            During both years of Mini-Society®, attendance of participants was consistent.  Support of parents and the community was a positive factor in the participation.  In summation, the major successes of the program was increased knowledge of participants and introduction, understanding, and implementation of business, economic, and citizenship life skills.

 

Collaborating organizations, agencies, and teaching research and Extension partnerships:

OCES Educators in Rogers, Tulsa, and Okfuskee Counties, Langston Cooperative Extension Service, Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Marilyn Burns Professional Endowment Fund.   

 

Date Posted:  Sept. 24, 2001

Contact:

Jan Maples Extension Educator,    - FCS/4-H and Youth Okfuskee County P.O. Box 107 Okemah, OK  74859 (918) 623-0641

Dr. Glenn Muske OCES Home-Based &    Micro-Business Specialist 104 HES, Room 336 OSU Stillwater, OK  74078-6111 (405) 744-9931