This week's E-connection highlights 2020 Vision elements of entrepreneurship, collaboration, innovation, and creativity.

Mercer Trade Inc: Global Learning to
Make a Difference

Students enrolled in Mercer Island High School’s International Entrepreneurship have big ideas. Their goal is to work with local organizations and trade products internationally with places like Ghana and Shanghai in order to empower Kenyan communities through clean water, education and microfinance. They know that in order to achieve this dream, they need to take ownership and demonstrate that they have the skills it takes to become innovative problem-solvers in a competitive world.

They run a social enterprise called Mercer Trade Inc., which recently met as a board to discuss the company’s progress on their goals. Over the last few weeks, they’ve held video conferences using Skype with their international partners and were excited about the prospect of trading video games and sports jerseys for cultural products like silk scarves, woven bracelets and wood carvings. Students also attended lectures at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business where they learned valuable skills about achieving a social impact through running a for-profit business. They will also be partnering with local companies to give microfinance loans to other countries. Right now, they’re preparing thirty-page manuals for an international business that will compete at the State DECA competition later in the school year. From creating business plans detailing how to expand Panera into Brazil to founding a music label, one can truly see that – no matter how diverse their passions may be – these students are learning the business acumen and skills needed to be successful. Individually, these are very impressive and articulate students. Together, however, they play off of each other’s strengths to build a company that they hope will leave a lasting impact far beyond Mercer Island.

MIHS International Entrepreneurship students
attended lectures at the UW's Foster School of Business

Planning and problem-solving in the classroom

Video conferencing with overseas partners

In the spring, they will present all their achievements at the Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) competition in Chicago. This global competition will place them against students from all around the world, including China, South Africa and Brazil. Students in this class are highly motivated and have sacrificed a lot to ensure that Mercer Trade Inc. is successful. Many of the members of the thirteen-person class have made the choice to give up drama, sports, electives and other activities to commit to this three-credit class that meets nearly 12 hours a week, often running late into the afternoon. In fact, six students from other schools travel to Mercer Island High School each day through a unique arrangement via Washington Network for Innovative Careers (WA-NIC) to participate in our state’s first Global Entrepreneurship Study Center, only the fourth of its kind in the nation. According to Mark Roschy, Associate Principal and CTE Director, “Mercer Island was an obvious location for such a venture, between access to our community’s numerous successful entrepreneurs and the district’s vision of preparing our students for the future world, we captured an opportunity for our students. Carol Wiseley’s energy, knowledge, and experience are what sealed the deal and our program is being recognized regionally on a variety of levels.”

To learn more about Mercer Trade Inc., and get involved in Mercer Island’s Global Entrepreneurship study program, please visit their website or contact Ms. Carol Wiseley, Teacher, 206-230-6344.

Check out the new MISD Employee Spotlight, a blog that highlights individual members of the Mercer Island School District staff.

For more information about current school district topics, visit the Q/A section of Dr. Plano's website.

2010-2011 E-Connections stories:

Islander Middle School is a place “Where Everyone Belongs”

The Language of Art

Welcome back to school--on the bus!

2009-2010 E-Connection stories

2008-2009 E-Connection stories

2007-2008 E-Connection stories