Welcome to the Ottawa Catholic School Board's Social Entrepreneurs Program (OCSB SEP)
Overview of the OCSB SEP
The OCSB Social Entrepreneurs Program (SEP) is an exciting Deep Learning opportunity for K-12 students to participate in an enriching, business oriented, and student-led initiative where they gain entrepreneurial experience, develop innovative mindsets and Global Competencies.
Paired with a community business partner, students and educators research social issues, choose a charity and/or community partner to support and work on building a social enterprise.
Students gain an understanding that they are global citizens and changemakers who have an impact on the world around them.
OCSB SEP rises in the House of Commons
The students of St. Gregory set a challenge to pitch a class visit to their MP Anita Vandenbeld (Ottawa West-Nepan). On the 20th of February, the students hosted Anita for an afternoon of presentations and demonstrations. They shared their passion in raising money for the Ottawa Food Bank; and guided Anita through jewlery making, water colour card creation, soap sales, and 3D printed cards. Being mindful of the opportunity infront of them the students gave Anita a special card and key chain for the Prime Minister. Anita delivered the gifts, and on Monday, March 18, 2024, stood in the House of Commons to share her experience with the students. Watch the video!
Holy Redeemer Grade 4/5 Students with their Ronald MacDonald House Gaming Cart. See their Shopify store at https://smileswitchcarts.myshopify.com/
St Emily Grade 5 students "Eagles United 4 Peace"
Program Outline
It's as simple as one, two, three!
Select a social issue & charity using UNSDGs as your guide.
Build the social enterprise that will make a difference.
Showcase and sell real products with your own Shopify store.
Then celebrate your efforts!
Deep Learning at Its Finest!
We know that the world is changing, and changing fast. We believe that the best way to prepare our young learners for the future is to help them develop skills and competencies that they can use in careers that might not even exist today.
At every Ottawa Catholic school, we focus on helping your child develop global competencies: citizenship, character, communication, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity.
Growing Enrollment
Students Research Thru UN SDGs
Detailed Program Outline & Links to Content
Program Outline: Part I
Learn about Entrepreneurship, Social Enterprise & Social Issues
use Belouga as a research resource. Every educator that signs up will receive premium access to Belouga.
use UN Sustainable Development Goals & Canada & the SDGs as a research resource
have guest speakers join classes
Local, Global
Meet and talk with representatives
Document your Journey with a Shopify Website
Create Social Enterprise
Mission, Vision, Logo, etc
Consider using the Business Model Canvas
Develop one or more of:
Product, Service or create Awareness
Consider Raising Seed Funds
Students might provide "Elevator pitch" to school principle; parent council or Experiential Learning Funding**
Terms may include: $250-$1000 as repayable from profits, 0% loan
Example of Seed Elevator Pitch
General Program Outline: Part II
Organize into teams/groups
Shopify admins, Product groups, Marketing, etc
Plan & Deliver
Provide any Profits to Selected Charity(s)
Celebrate Success at Year End
Consider sending your SEP this year to the "Untapped Youth Action Showcase" in May.
Actual checks to suppliers and to selected charities (latest June 27)
Last day of Shopify sales June 19, 2023
Reconciliation and payments to local school bank accounts (from Shopify payments) June 27th
**Note: You can apply for seed money by completing the Experiential Learning Funding Application Form below. Consider inviting Neda Bernabo to your class so students can pitch their idea. Please note- all invoices/receipts (cannot exceed 5) are to be submitted to Neda Bernabo.
CTV News Jan 29, 2024
Click here to watch CTV Video:
Students in the Ottawa Catholic School Board are learning how to be entrepreneurs, while aiming to make a difference in the community.
Students from kindergarten to Grade 12 participate in a business oriented and student-led initiative, where they gain entrepreneurial experience. Groups choose a charity and/or community partner to support and work on building a social enterprise.
"The project aims to create social entrepreneurs, and the social part is the key aspect — making a difference in our community," says teacher Carol Mok at St. Joseph Catholic High School in Barrhaven. "You can learn all you want through theory, but it's not the same as actually doing it. They can see just how long it takes, how much effort it takes."
Her Grade 11 business class participates in the program by creating a brand and marketing, and selling hoodies and toques with profits going to the Ottawa Mission. Click for more
We are excited by release of paper by NPDL A “Big Tent” Strategy for System-Wide Transformation: Seeking Deep Learning in Ottawa.
Authored by Sarah Fine and Jal Mehta, this paper presents A Promising Proof Point for System-Wide Change based critically around Deep Learning. It explores real stories of sustained shift in Learning, Teaching and Leadership, driven by a relentless focus on creating the conditions for all learners to develop the Six Global Competencies of Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Critical Thinking.
Our Deep Thanks to Ottawa Catholic School Board for generous access to the people, across the system, who contributed to this research.