Published: November 07, 2009 04:45 pm      

SIFE team expanding its project

San Marcos — The award-winning Students in Free Enterprise Team (SIFE) from Texas State University-San Marcos is committing many hours to expanding their legacy project, Free Enterprise City, into four additional start-up businesses in local elementary and intermediate schools.

The project has three learning modules which include learning the principles of free enterprise at Free Enterprise Clubs, practicing the principles at Free Enterprise Depots and learning about a global view of how communities function together at a one-day event entitled Free Enterprise City.

The SIFE team undertakes many projects which fulfill SIFE’s mission of teaching others, through action learning, about the concepts of free enterprise. Their free enterprise projects also involve many other local partners such as the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce and Gary Job Corp.

The five area elementary schools participating with SIFE are Crockett, DeZavala, Travis, Tom Green and Bowie. With the leadership and support of Sharon Ahrens, gifted and talented coordinator for the San Marcos C.I.S.D., the program has grown. The fourth and fifth grade gifted and talented students are learning the entire business cycle and participating in learning both the principles of free enterprise and successful operation of Free Enterprise Depot. The students will be issued stock certificates for their ownership, secure additional funding, elect officers, buy supplies, advertise and manage operations.

A key component of the learning experience is the need to be socially responsible and ethical. So, at the conclusion of the project this winter, each group will donate a portion of their proceeds to a worthwhile cause of their choice.

For more information call Vicki West, Sam Walton Fellow in Free Enterprise, 245-3224 or vw03@txstate.edu.

Visit www.sife.org or www.business.txstate.edu/sife for additional information on the national and local organizations.