Spring 2024 Registration now open!
Mentor & volunteer registration
Educator & administrator registration
What
The Jacobson Institute presents startup events engaging high school students and educators in one-day, fast paced entrepreneurial excursions. HS students work in teams with entrepreneurs/business & industry partners to solve problems they face using entrepreneurial solutions that drive innovation forward. This is authentic, experiential learning at its best!
Thanks to sponsors, DesignDash is provided to Iowa students, educators, and community partners at no cost.
Who
Iowa high school students and their teachers. Entrepreneurs and business/industry partners who want to get involved.
Target Audiences: Entrepreneurial-minded, Startup/Innovation, Engineering, Design, Hackers, Tech Gurus, Problem Finders & Solvers, Creatives, Gamers, 3D, Artists
How
Each teacher registers a maximum of 10 students for the day-long startup event. Registration will be determined by a combination of the following: date of registration, number of schools/school districts represented. Registration will be confirmed 4 weeks prior to the DesignDash event. The teachers attending will be actively engaged and able to earn graduate credit for their participation.
Spring 2024 sponsors
We are very grateful to the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and College of Education, Great Prairie Area Education Agency, Hills Bank, Alliant Energy, Grant Wood Area Education Agency, and Greater Iowa City, Inc. for sponsoring DesignDash!
3
Events this spring
280
Total Student participants since 2022
29
Total Schools participated since 2022
"Design Dash is an excellent opportunity for students to collaboratively 'test-drive' entrepreneurship by solving problems that occur daily."
Innovation programs for students and educators
Business Horizons
Students - Business Horizons is a five-day innovation simulation bringing students (grades 9-12) of all experience levels from across the state of Iowa together to gain a better sense of how their skills connect to the business world and the real world. Held annually in the summer.
Teachers - 2 day, onsite, professional development offered by BizInnovator Startup. Held annually in conjunction with Business Horizons, more information to come for 2024!
Startup Weekend
Students and Teachers - join in this community weekend entrepreneurial event! Held annually in the summer - stay tuned!
"As a mentor, I was inspired and energized by the commitment and creativity of student groups... all in a day's work. If they can do it, so can I."
Educator opportunities
Professional development and opportunity for high schoolers to earn college credit
-
BizInnovator Startup Deep Dive into Entrepreneurship Education for High School educators
- STEM Innovator® Professional development workshops for K-14 educators
Curriculum toolkits
-
BizInnovator Startup for high school entrepreneurship education
- KidInnovator for upper elementary and middle school
- STEM Innovator® curriculum is available to educators as they complete the STEM Innvoator® professional development