Last week I was invited along to Alderley Edge School for Girls, where following the success of the Dragons Den TV show Year 9 pupils took part in their own Dragons Den event.
As part of the Business Studies project, twelve teams of girls pitched their ideas to local business people to establish which product the Dragons would be most likely to invest in.
The standard of work was impressive with ideas ranging from a selection of magnetic locker accessories to a silicon rubber bowl which children can draw on and a whole outfit hanger to a travel accessory pillow for children which opens up to provide interactive play materials.
The team of Dragons put the girls through their paces and they were assessed on marketing knowledge, advertising, financial awareness, product innovation and best prototype, in addition to presentation style.
The “ShopNav” team were crowned overall winners with their navigation system for shopping trolleys which would provide details of product location, nutritional information, savings and alternative products as you shop.
Ms Lynn Merry, Business Studies teacher for the school commented, “Although predominantly a creative task, this project taught the girls how to work as a team and how to cope with the pressure of the business world when working to a deadline or if things don’t turn out as planned.
"The girls really enjoyed the event and many thanks must go to our excellent panel of Dragons who took time out of their busy working schedules to provide the girls with such a worthwhile experience.”
