Donation Incubation
The new ASFM Business Incubator, part of the second wave of Edge of Excellence projects, is nothing more than a glorified classroom.
Don’t get me wrong, the learning space is a great place that is used productively by students. I take AP Economics in the room and the Applied Journalism class uses this Edge of Excellence addition extensively to collaborate on projects that require a more flexible environment like Canal 107. But is the Business Incubator actually being used for all of its intended purposes?
According to the Edge of Excellence video, the Startup Hub aims to “enhance entrepreneurial spirit,” which is funny because for years the school has suppressed entrepreneurship by not allowing students to sell food products inside the school.
A lot of planning might have gone into the construction, (except for the series of offices that put students at the mercy of their classmates on the outside who could control the locks) but besides hosting some classes, no action has been taken to introduce new programs, except Mock Trial. The microwave and plug-in stove are poor substitutes for the fully equipped kitchen that was originally proposed.
The business incubator has great potential. Besides being a place for collaboration, the implementation of a mentor program, incubation model, and an after-school club could make this project a huge success.
Admin might have some great ideas and potential projects, but those need to be communicated to the student body to give us the opportunity to use the school’s new resource for our own benefit. For example, to use the Business Incubator during Access you need to book one of three teachers, Ms. Salinas, Ms. Hernandez, or Mr. Burns. Nowhere is this information advertised, limiting student access, the same also goes for the STEM lab.
Now that the room has been built, the donor’s name featured beneath bright lights, and pictures have been taken, ASFM can call this project a success and begin its next round of fundraising.
Ms. Hernandez, Department Head of Business and Innovation, said that she loves teaching in the Business Incubator. “I think that it’s a new and innovative space when previously we had asked Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Product Design to be creative and come up with new ideas and innovate and to think outside the box when we’re literally sitting in a white rectangular box.
“This space allows them that opportunity to be able to be more innovative in the way that they learn,” she expressed.
While she did agree that there was room for improvement, the Economics teacher was confident that with time, and a new kitchen that may come in the summer, both students and teachers would learn to use the room for great things.
For now, the only business that has been incubated by this Edge of Excellence project is the school’s fundraising, and students and teachers have been forced to foot a hefty four classroom bill.