Operation: Mindset
6 Activities
Grades 6 - 12
8 Hours 20 Minutes
Overview
Students discover what it means to think and act like an entrepreneur in this series of fun and engaging lessons. First, students learn about the mindset traits and behaviors of successful entrepreneurs before taking a survey that reveals the characteristics of their own entrepreneurial mindset. Students then participate in a series of four challenges – each designed to activate two of the eight domains of the entrepreneurial mindset. The module wraps up with students creating an action plan to further grow their own entrepreneurial potential.
Recommended Module Sequence
NFTE recommends that Lessons 1, 2, and 6 are facilitated in the order listed below. However, Lessons 3, 4, and 5 can be facilitated in any order. Lessons 3, 4, 5, and 6 can also be done independently for teachers looking for exercises that engage students in those non-cognitive skills.
Lesson 1: Pitch Yourself
Lesson 2: EMI Pre-Survey Analysis
Lesson 3: Tower of Power
Entrepreneurial Mindset Domain Focus: Creativity & Innovation and Initiative & Self-Reliance
Lesson 4: Chill or Grill
Entrepreneurial Mindset Domain Focus: Flexibility & Adaptability and Comfort with Risk
Lesson 5: Picture This
Entrepreneurial Mindset Domain Focus: Communication & Collaboration and Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Lesson 6: Startup Survival
Entrepreneurial Mindset Domains: Opportunity Recognition & Future Orientation
Continue Your Journey
1
1
Picture This
As an engaging way to introduce students to NFTE’s entrepreneurial mindset domains, students will either complete an interactive digital module or engage in a challenge to draw and recreate objects through the cues given to them by their partner.
This lesson plan is written around the completion of a hands-on activity, but you can replace or supplement this activity with a couple of digital interactives. See the Modifications section at the end of this lesson plan for more details.
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour 40 Minutes
2
2
Pitch Yourself
As an engaging way to start NFTE’s Entrepreneurship 1 course, students will learn about what it means to be an entrepreneur and then create 30-second pitches about themselves to pitch themselves as potential entrepreneurs to their classmates.
Grades 6 - 12
50 Minutes
3
3
EMI Pre-Survey Analysis
Students take the Pre-EMI survey to get a report of the current status of their own developing entrepreneurial mindset.
Note that the survey is designed to be completed by most students in less than one instructional period. However, depending on the reading levels and abilities of your students, it may take longer for many students. Adjust the discussion time appropriately to match the amount of time your students will need to complete the survey.
Grades 6 - 12
50 Minutes
4
4
Tower of Power
As an engaging way to introduce students to NFTE’s entrepreneurial mindset domains, students will either complete an interactive digital module or engage in a team building activity that asks them to create the tallest possible tower using limited resources.
This lesson plan is written around the completion of a hands-on activity, but you can replace or supplement this activity with a couple of digital interactives. See the Modifications section at the end of this lesson plan for more details.
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour 40 Minutes
5
5
Chill or Grill
As an engaging way to introduce students to NFTE’s entrepreneurial mindset domains, students will either complete an interactive digital module or engage in an investigation to make rapid-fire decisions pertaining to a new restaurant opening.
This lesson plan is written around the completion of a hands-on activity, but you can replace or supplement this activity with a couple of digital interactives. See the Modifications section at the end of this lesson plan for more details.
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour 40 Minutes
6
6
Startup Survival
As an engaging way to introduce students to NFTE’s entrepreneurial mindset domains, students will either complete an interactive digital module or attempt to select the most important startup tools. Students finish the module by creating an EM Personal Growth Plan.
This lesson plan is written around the completion of a hands-on activity, but you can replace or supplement this activity with a couple of digital interactives. See the Modifications section at the end of this lesson plan for more details.
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour 40 Minutes
Operation: Mindset
Overview
Continue Your Journey
1
1
Picture This
As an engaging way to introduce students to NFTE’s entrepreneurial mindset domains, students will either complete an interactive digital module or engage in a challenge to draw and recreate objects through the cues given to them by their partner.
This lesson plan is written around the completion of a hands-on activity, but you can replace or supplement this activity with a couple of digital interactives. See the Modifications section at the end of this lesson plan for more details.
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour 40 Minutes
2
2
Pitch Yourself
As an engaging way to start NFTE’s Entrepreneurship 1 course, students will learn about what it means to be an entrepreneur and then create 30-second pitches about themselves to pitch themselves as potential entrepreneurs to their classmates.
Grades 6 - 12
50 Minutes
3
3
EMI Pre-Survey Analysis
Students take the Pre-EMI survey to get a report of the current status of their own developing entrepreneurial mindset.
Note that the survey is designed to be completed by most students in less than one instructional period. However, depending on the reading levels and abilities of your students, it may take longer for many students. Adjust the discussion time appropriately to match the amount of time your students will need to complete the survey.
Grades 6 - 12
50 Minutes
4
4
Tower of Power
As an engaging way to introduce students to NFTE’s entrepreneurial mindset domains, students will either complete an interactive digital module or engage in a team building activity that asks them to create the tallest possible tower using limited resources.
This lesson plan is written around the completion of a hands-on activity, but you can replace or supplement this activity with a couple of digital interactives. See the Modifications section at the end of this lesson plan for more details.
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour 40 Minutes
5
5
Chill or Grill
As an engaging way to introduce students to NFTE’s entrepreneurial mindset domains, students will either complete an interactive digital module or engage in an investigation to make rapid-fire decisions pertaining to a new restaurant opening.
This lesson plan is written around the completion of a hands-on activity, but you can replace or supplement this activity with a couple of digital interactives. See the Modifications section at the end of this lesson plan for more details.
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour 40 Minutes
6
6
Startup Survival
As an engaging way to introduce students to NFTE’s entrepreneurial mindset domains, students will either complete an interactive digital module or attempt to select the most important startup tools. Students finish the module by creating an EM Personal Growth Plan.
This lesson plan is written around the completion of a hands-on activity, but you can replace or supplement this activity with a couple of digital interactives. See the Modifications section at the end of this lesson plan for more details.
Grades 6 - 12
1 Hour 40 Minutes
Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.
Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.