About

Inquiry, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship

Celebrating their 12th Annual Business Day Event, Zelia, co-teaching partner Kamla Rambaran and her students were invited to present at the Unleash Learning, Toronto District School Board conference. The Entrepreneurial Project referred to as Business Day brings together both project-based and inquiry-based learning. Students are engaged as young entrepreneurs while they embark on a journey where they make independent and team decisions to develop and sell a product! Using online tools such as a wiki environment for their company, as well as collaborating in real-time using various Google apps students are able to research, develop, provide peer support, and make community partner connections throughout the venture. Students create a business that can make a difference not only in their own lives through the experience, knowledge and reflection on learning; but in the lives of the children who will benefit from building awareness in the community while proceeds are donated to a local charity. Class Twitter Account: @McMBusinessDay

Following the presentation one of the many questions and requests made by educators was "How do you even get started putting all of this together?" The key sharing piece was cross-curricular teaching and connecting with teachers from other subjects areas to blend the lessons focussing on inquiry, creativity and entrepreneurship. This developed over the years and each year new learning and refining continues to build upon the student successes in leading their innovations to making an impact in the school and local community.

Kamla Rambaran (OCT, MEd, BEd) is an Elementary Teacher with the Toronto District School Board who seeks out opportunities for students to be connected enabling them to develop relationships by reaching out to students and communities beyond the classroom.