Background

In the past, companies and communities creatively advanced largely on the initiative of a few unique individuals (mostly entrepreneurs), whose efforts created new jobs for many thousands of others. However, the level of innovation and initiative necessary to compete in today’s networked global economy requires the creative participation of essentially everyone, no matter what job, career, or industry.

Vision

The Lehigh Valley becomes one of America’s leading innovative communities.

Mission

Give every young person in the Lehigh Valley the opportunity to learn, think, and act like a creative entrepreneur or entrepreneurial leader, no matter what they choose to do.

Goal

Have each high school and university in the Lehigh Valley incorporate innovative entrepreneurial learning experiences in the next 7 years, creating an ecosystem of thousands of innovators who will dramatically influence our community and attract even more innovators. 

Learning Philosophy

Traditional education is based on having an expert teacher show students how to do something, so the students can follow the same model.  While this is valuable, no one ever innovated by doing what experts already know how to do.  The key is to help students learn to think non-linearly, leveraging their intuition and experience to diagnose new problems and opportunities and experiment to find creative new solutions. 

 
The Institute builds on the Cooperative Entrepreneurship principles of THINK TEAM TRUST:

• Students are challenged to think of an idea that solves real problems (THINK). 
• They compete for the minds and hearts of their peers to assemble a team to implement (TEAM). 
• Students learn that honest purpose inspires and enables collaborative success (TRUST).

We do not really “teach” creative entrepreneurship, but rather create an environment where students discover the entrepreneurial spirit within themselves. 

Credibility

The Institute developed a successful model that has been operating in Warren Hills Regional High School for the past 12 years, impacting more than 2000 students.  The Institute facilitated summer programs over the past two years with many good learning experiences and three teams continuing to implement their new opportunities.  Both Lehigh University and DeSales University are represented on the Institute board and have expressed interest in being future partners.  Bethlehem Vocational Technical School and Moravian Academy have tested versions of this model in their schools.  A growing community of 100 small businesses, members of Charter Partners company, are being introduced to this idea for long term support.

Short-term Activities to Launch Initiative

• Run another student summer program in 2009 for interested educators to observe and learn.
• Conduct a summer program in 2009 for a group of pioneer teachers from area districts to experience the process, then assist them to start initiatives in their schools in the fall.