Clarkston kids are getting some hands on business experience planning an Easter festival on April 1, and that’s no joke.
‘They will run every aspect of it,” said Tom Neal, instructor for Oakland Technical Center Northwest’s iTeam class. ‘It gives them hands on experience. After its over we will discuss what worked and did not work.?
Morning iTeam students are planning the Easter Egg-Stravaganza, featuring an Easter egg hunt, face painting, free food, crafts and music. Plastic eggs will be filled with candy for treasure seekers.
The iTeam afternoon students? Doggy Days Carnival offers free pizza and drinks, carnival games, and a rock climbing wall.
Activities are from 4:30-6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, at Independence Oaks County Park, 9501 Sashabaw Road. The park charges a $5 admission fee per vehicle, but activities are free.
Both events were planned by students in the iTeam program ? Information Technology, Entrepreneurship, Advanced Marketing.
Oakland County Parks asked students to create activities to promote parks, Neal said.
‘Oakland County Parks representatives came out to the class and listened to pitches from the students,? the teacher said. ‘We had a lot of meetings as a team.?
Students in each session were split into groups to plan ideas and take on different roles from utilizing technical skills to marketing, brainstorming activities, planning and pitching ideas to Oakland County Parks and Recreation staff.
Morning iTeam student Justin Goldsmith said teams worked hard on the projects.
Students will run the show too.
The iTeam is a class, but it is managed like a business. Since it is run like a corporation, students can immerse themselves in a variety of jobs. In the class, students focus on computers, marketing, graphic design, business management, leadership, advertising, management and more. Each student is treated as an employee, and earn “pay? from work in class.
Participating in seminars and challenges are a normal part of the iTeam’s curriculum.
Students spend half the day at OTC and the other half at high school. In addition to hands on learning, they can start college classes early and earn national certifications paid for by the campus.
Several other programs in a variety of fields are also on campus. For more information about OTC visit www.OSTCOnline.com.