1. Brainstorm
   
   1. Choose any item you find at home.
   2. Imagine new, creative uses for it that solve a problem, save time, or make life easier/more fun.
   3. You may add other materials (glue, tape, paint, fabric, etc.), but your chosen household item must be the main part of your invention.
2. Create
   
   1. Build your product prototype using the item from your house.
   2. Be innovative—your final product should show creativity and purpose.
3. Pitch
   Record a Shark Tank–style pitch video (maximum 3 minutes).
   1. In your pitch, explain:
      1. What is your product?
      2. How does it function?
      3. What problem does it solve?
      4. Who is your target market (who would buy it)?
      5. How will you market it (ads, social media, word of mouth, etc.)?
      6. Where could people purchase your product (online, in stores, etc.)?
4. Reflection (end of video)
   Answer these four questions at the end:
   1. Why would you like to join the Meadowbrook Academy for Developing Entrepreneurs (MADE)?
   2. What qualities do you have that make you a strong entrepreneur?
   3. What obstacles do entrepreneurs face, and how can they overcome them?
   4. If you could start your own student business right now, what would it be? Or, what type of business would you like to run in the future?

Your completed project must be electronically submitted through your online application by February 2, 2026.

Although the full application is due on December 1, you will still be able to go back into SchoolMint to upload your project afterward. Follow these steps:

1. Log back into your SchoolMint account.
2. Open your application and click “Edit.”
3. Select Section 6: Additional Requirements (don’t scroll—click directly on “6”).
4. A new screen will appear with a “Browse File” button.
5. Click “Choose File to Upload” and attach your completed project.
   
   

⚡Pro Tip: Be bold and imaginative—sometimes the best ideas come from the simplest items!

• You will need two teacher recommendations.
• Teachers will fill out the recommendation using the online application as well.
• In the meantime, please talk with your teachers and ask them if they would like to help you apply to a specialty center by completing a teacher recommendation form when they become available online December.
• We would like to see one core 7th or 8th grade teacher and one CTE teacher, if possible
• CTE – Career Technical Education – examples: technology education, engineering, computers, family and consumer science, business, career exploration
• If you do not have a CTE teacher, then a World Language or another elective teacher.