Students at Dade County Middle School used to throw homework they got back from teachers into the trash can; now they display their work for industry partners who critique and bid on their inventions. Each spring, the middle school gym becomes a marketplace, and students use their entrepreneurship skills to pitch prototypes and compete for prizes. The program, known as Project Synergy, encourages innovation among students by teaching them to develop products, create business plans, apply for patents and market their creations.

“The difference in performance from students when they realize they have an audience besides their teacher is amazing,” says language arts teacher Matt Jelley, who co-founded the program. “When they are just doing work to throw away, they're not as motivated. If they have an audience outside the classroom, it gives them a reason to aspire to excellence.”

Project Synergy started four years ago with Jelley and another teacher who wanted to raise the rigor in their classrooms and help students see the real-world application of their lessons. The project started with a curriculum, but both teachers soon realized the need to involve the community.

“We wanted to create a synergy between business, government and the community, and give these stakeholders the opportunity to get into our schools, work with students and help them connect what is going on inside of school to the world outside.”

Past projects and partners include:
• Working with Volkswagen to develop innovative ways to market and design a car.
• Partnering with civic groups to determine business needs in the community, find investors and launch ventures to fill those niches.
• Working with TVA, Home Depot and Habitat for Humanity to develop and market energy efficient buildings for subdivisions.

Not only does the project teach students how to present themselves in a professional setting, the “kids are seeing why they need to be planning ahead for jobs they want in the future – and how those jobs can impact growth in the community,” Jelley says.

The program has a lasting impact because it trains students to be better employees and business leaders in the future, says Debbie Tinker, executive director of the Dade County Chamber of Commerce, a Project Synergy partner.

“Students are gaining skills that will help them and their families down the road and attract the attention of companies that might locate here,” Tinker says. “And it's helping us grow a community of creative entrepreneurs.”