Brownie Budding Entrepreneur Badge Activity
Be an Inventor
Come up with an idea that makes life better—just like entrepreneurs do.
Activity Details
Time needed: 30–45 minutes
Materials needed:
- Materials to make or draw a prototype such as cardboard, paper, string, clean objects from your recycle bin, rubber bands, paper, pens, or crayons
Setup:
Have you ever thought about the many things that make your life easier? Let’s take the simple idea of a light switch. When the sun goes down, we just turn on a light and continue with our activities. An indoor light at night lets us make dinner, read bedtime stories, and feel safe and cozy. But before an entrepreneur figured out a way to bring electricity into our homes in the late 1880s, people used gas lamps, candles, and fireplaces to brighten up the evenings. People also went to bed earlier!
You are going to come up with an idea that makes life at home better or easier!
Activity:
An entrepreneur is someone who finds ways to help people and solve problems. They are curious about how things work and see each setback as a chance to make things better. Now it’s time for you to practice thinking like an entrepreneur!
Take a walk around your home. Look for things that you feel could be improved in order to make life easier.
As you walk, think about:
- What are some things that bug you or that you notice could use help? For example, if you have trouble reaching things on a high shelf, what could help?
- What can you create to remind you to brush your teeth?
- How can you make a chore easier to do?
- Think about members of your family, too, as you think about how to make things easier or solve problems around your home.
Did you find things that could be improved by making changes? Choose one idea and build or draw a prototype! A prototype is a quick way to show your idea to others or to try it out. It can be as simple as a drawing or it could be a 3D model made with things like cardboard, paper, string, rubber bands, or things you might find in a recycle bin. The important thing to remember is that a prototype isn’t supposed to be perfect.
Use your imagination and be creative! You can work on your own, with a partner, or in a small group.
Reflection
Talk to a friend or adult about these questions:
- Is there a female entrepreneur you can talk to about how she developed her business idea?
- How can you share what you’ve learned with other girls?
