Merit’s FATE Program Workshop #2 With Menlo Innovations

Who wants to be an entrepreneur? *Hands go up all across the room*

When kicking off our second FATE workshop this past Saturday, Menlo Innovations Founder, Rich Sheridan, asked this question of our 22 ninth grade JRLA FATE students, as well as their UM student mentors. He went on to ask what being an entrepreneur meant, and gave perspective on the idea that came to him at the age of 20, which set him on the path of entrepreneurship. Rich finished his talk by expressing his love and passion for his work – how much he enjoys coming into the office and watching that idea he had come to life every single day.

Rich’s inspiring words catapulted a jam-packed day of business idea generation, persona mapping, Jet’s pizza, prototyping, design assessment, and presenting. FATE students utilized their creative minds to think of a
temperature-controlled coat, a watch that schedules your day, the baby-come-back ball, a watch/armband with a vibrating alarm, and a self-operating washer/dryer. They thought of the travelers, businesspeople, teenagers, and elderly who would benefit from their products. And they created prototypes of their products that were assessed by Menlo staffers, perfected, and finally presented to their peers. Along the way they enjoyed pizza and a flying robot show.

Each month we’re learning more and more about our students – it is out of this world. HUGE thank you to Menlo Innovations for their facilitation and partnership. And shout-out to JRLA Principal, Kenya Crockett, for joining us.

Can’t wait till Jan 12! Check out all of the action below: