This curriculum, designed for high school or college students, introduces learners to the core principles of economic development and the transformative power of social enterprise. Through engaging lessons, real-world case studies and project-based learning, students explore how businesses and organizations can drive positive social change while remaining economically sustainable.
More than just classroom content, this curriculum serves as a springboard for meaningful community engagement. Educators are encouraged to pair these lessons with service-learning projects, allowing students to apply what they’ve learned by identifying local challenges and designing solutions that reflect both entrepreneurial thinking and civic responsibility. By connecting theory with action, students gain a deeper understanding of how economic development can be inclusive, impactful and purpose-driven.
Creating Opportunity:
Lessons on Development and Challenges of Economic Prosperity
Use the following materials to help students learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and consider ways they can act entrepreneurial to create change in their local communities or around the globe. Activities include simulations, deep discussions, and research using resources such as YouTube and TED Talks.
- Lesson 1: Choices — Economic Development Factors (Word doc)
- Lesson 2: Economic Development Overview (Word doc)
- Lesson 3: Economic Development — Use and Allocation of Resources (Word doc)
- Lesson 4: Alternatives — Achieving Desired Outcomes (Word doc)
- Lesson 5: Production — What, How, and for Whom? (Word doc)
- National Content Standards and Frameworks (Word doc)
- Glossary (Word doc)
EconEd: Check out this collection of resources aligned with specific economic concepts. These concepts correspond to the National Standards for Economics, offering a variety of lesson plans, activities, and multimedia materials suitable for K–12 educators.
