Elementary students working together on a classroom activity.

Entrepreneur for a Day

A hands-on introduction to entrepreneurship for 5th grade students.

Program Overview

The Entrepreneur for a Day (E4D®) program is dedicated to teaching 5th grade students the fundamental principles of entrepreneurship, how to start a business, and the real-world skills needed to successfully navigate life outside of school.

During this two-session program, participants are introduced to business planning, financial literacy, marketing concepts, workplace concepts, social responsibility, and team-building skills. E4D® is also an important first step in bringing entrepreneurship education into schools.

How the Program Works

Day 1: In the Classroom

On the first day of E4D®, trained facilitators visit the students’ classroom and introduce the terms, ideas, and concepts of entrepreneurship. This helps build excitement and gives students a foundation for the experience ahead.

Day 2: On the NIACC Campus

On the second day, students visit the NIACC campus and participate in a hands-on business experience. They choose a product, borrow money from a bank, buy the resources they need, make the product, sell it, and determine whether they made a profit.

The visit concludes with a tour of NIACC, giving students exposure to campus life, diversity, and the idea of college as part of their future. For many students, this can be an important first postsecondary connection, especially for those who may be the first in their families to attend college.

21st Century Skills

E4D® helps students build skills that support both academic success and future career readiness.

  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Understand what an entrepreneur is, types of entrepreneurs, and apply decision-making to create a product.
  • Creativity & Innovation: Design a prototype using Tinkercad and 3D pens, and adapt when resources or colors run out.
  • Collaboration & Communication: Work in assigned team roles to achieve business goals.
  • Information Literacy & Technology Skills: Use Canva/Google Slides/PowerPoint for marketing posters and apply financial literacy through cash flow tracking.
  • STEM Integration: Apply engineering and design principles to prototype creation and problem-solving during production challenges.

What Educators Are Saying

“In these times of economic uncertainty, the E4D® program is more necessary than ever.  During this program, students become more aware of entrepreneurship and the work that must go into running small and large businesses.  They experience the organization, accounting, and production of a product and also realize the importance of quality work and cooperation.  They also learn budgeting, borrowing, and importance of the banking system which may help them understand budgets at home and see the importance of the family working together.“

— Ellen Grady-Manns, 5th grade teacher from Riceville

A student writing dollar amounts on a classroom profit statement activity board.

Schools Participating in E4D®

  • Belmond-Klemme
  • CAL Community
  • Central Springs
  • Charles City
  • Garner
  • Hampton-Dumont
  • West Fork
  • Lake Mills
  • Mason City Newman Catholic
  • Osage
  • St. Ansgar
  • Riceville
  • Rudd – Rockford – Marble Rock
  • West Hancock
Children collaboratively making fake prototypes out of Play-Doh

E4D® Curriculum and Licensing

E4D® is a visionary education and economic development strategy designed to enable youth to become successfully “employed” by starting and owning their own enterprises.

This program was developed by the NIACC Pappajohn Center after visiting Springfield Technical Community College and observing their Entrepreneur for a Day program, as well as drawing on concepts from Play-Doh Economics from the Council of Economic Education.

E4D® was also spurred by research showing that 25 percent of kindergarten students have entrepreneurship characteristics, compared to just 3 percent of high school students (Lobler, 2006). Understanding the need to nurture and foster these innate abilities at a young age, the Pappajohn Center developed this entrepreneurial curriculum for upper elementary students.

The NIACC Pappajohn Center Entrepreneur for a Day (E4D®) curriculum is licensed and protected. Licensing and training agreements are available for purchase. This program is an excellent opportunity for Community and County Foundations, Economic Developers and Community Colleges to lead and deliver to their respective regions.

Contact the Pappajohn Center for more information about E4D® ordering and pricing.

Interested in Bringing E4D® to Your School or Region?

Whether you are an educator, school partner, foundation, or community organization, we would be glad to talk with you about Entrepreneur for a Day.
Contact Us About E4D®