Energy and creativity filled the room as Punahou sixth graders rolled up their sleeves for the Case Accelerator for Student Entrepreneurship’s annual Green Market Challenge – an interactive, hands-on lesson in business, innovation and sustainability. Over the course of two hours, students transformed ideas into enterprises and learned what it takes to turn inspiration into commerce.
Working in teams of three or four, students brainstormed business concepts rooted in environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Each group drafted a business plan before visiting the Big Bucks Bank, where volunteer “bankers” evaluated proposals, approved loans, and kept careful ledgers. Nearby, volunteer “warehouse workers” managed the Wholesale Warehouse, offering a variety of raw materials and creative supplies – from essential oils and colorants to soy wax, soap bases and small trinkets for product customization.
From there, students designed and fabricated their own products – including scented body scrubs, lip balms, candles, bead bracelets and essential oil sprays. The challenge emphasized collaboration, creativity and sustainability, as students explored how to turn everyday materials into marketable goods.
“You can feel the energy in the room – it’s creative, controlled chaos,” said Yolanda Lau ’98, Director of the Case Accelerator for Student Entrepreneurship. “Students are experimenting, negotiating, problem-solving and discovering that business can be fun, challenging and meaningful.”
“The Green Market Challenge really gave the students a sense of accomplishment in building something – and maybe even planted a seed that they, too, can build a business one day if they wish to,” said alumni volunteer and business owner Derek Wong ’91. “It brings so many skills together in one place. Communicating ideas, motivating a team, marketing and selling – these are transferable skills that apply to all areas of life. It is such a great simulation of real-world scenarios in a friendly, competitive environment.”
The event culminated in the Green Market, a lively marketplace where teams sold their creations to one another using their Big Bucks currency. Each student received $15 in play money to purchase products made by their peers, adding a fun and competitive twist to the day. Students experienced firsthand the challenges of pricing, supply, demand and customer service, then reflected on their results – whether they repaid their loans, made a profit or identified ways to improve next time.
After settling their loans with principal and interest, Lau closed the simulation with a short lesson on savings and charitable giving. Students chose to allocate their company profits toward saving for a house, college fund or retirement, or donating to a cause. This year, most students directed their profits to the Food Bank, highlighting their awareness of how the current economic environment is affecting food insecurity. The hope is to instill a habit of thoughtful, values-driven financial decision-making that students can carry into adulthood.
“The Green Market Challenge lets students learn by doing and see how innovation and responsibility work hand in hand,” Lau added. “We’re not just talking about entrepreneurship — students are experiencing it firsthand, from designing products to navigating the realities of cost, pricing and teamwork.”
By the end, the sixth graders had not only fabricated original products but also gained a deeper understanding of creativity, innovation and the real-world impact of sustainable entrepreneurship.
Photos by Yolanda Lau ’98