(L-R) Emma Crawford (YENI), Kamila Kubulus (runner-up), Mayor, Lena Kulinska (overall winner)
In the lead-up to Global Entrepreneurship Week 2023 (13-19 November) more than 600 primary school pupils from across Mid and East Antrim took part in an innovative online Business Masterclass.
The event provided the children with the opportunity to learn about what a business is, how a business communicates with their customer, packaging and branding plus much more.
Funded by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and delivered in partnership with Young Enterprise Northern Ireland, those taking part had the chance to grasp key business concepts such as marketing and environmental sustainability through online resources and fun interactive tasks.
Above: Lena Kulinska's fabulous winning design
Above: Kamila Kubulus' design (runner-up)
They also developed their creative and communication skills by working on a product design solution for a juice carton.
There was a fantastic response to the competition with over 120 entries submitted. The standard was very high and made judging extremely difficult. The winning entry was from Lena Kulinska - a P6 pupil from St Brigid’s Primary School, Ballymena.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, said:
“It’s Global Entrepreneurship Week 2023 and Council is delighted to support entrepreneurs of all ages in MEA - to strengthen the existingenterprise culture which has been cultivated across the Borough.
“This was a fantastic initiative which has developed key business skills in P6 pupils across the Borough - well done to everyone who took part and congratulations to those who were awarded a prize.”
Runners Up from Four Towns Primary School Sophia & Alex
Sophia's 'Crossmans' design
Alex's 'Super Strawberry' Design
Carol Fitzsimons MBE, Young Enterprise NI Chief Executive, added:
“We are so pleased to work in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. We were really impressed by the brilliant ideas the students submitted as part of this online Business Masterclass.
"The skills they learn through our programmes - such as confidence, resilience and creativity - will enable them to be better prepared to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world. Well done to everyone who took part and congratulations to winner Lena.”
Runner up Aoife Pollard from St Nicholas Primary School, with Miss Doherty (Principal), and Emma (YENI)
Aoife's brilliant 'Bubble Juice' design
Inspiring over 90,000+ students each year, YENI’s aim is to ensure children and young people leave education prepared for life and work.
The best design won a £50 voucher and four runners-up each received £25.