The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest CEO Jason Williams is the first to share stories about interesting entrepreneurs. Now he is interviewing them!
“For more than two decades, we have been privileged to recognize the people shaping Northwest Indiana through creativity, leadership and entrepreneurship,” said Society of Innovators CEO Jason Williams in a press release. “With the Spark Series, we’re extending that mission by inviting innovators from our own network to share their experiences directly with students. Their stories turn innovation from something students hear about into something they can see, understand and imagine for themselves.”
The Society released its first season of “Spark Series,” which is a visual learning tool for classrooms around the Region. The eleven short videos share interviews with regional entrepreneurs and offer guides and activities for teachers and students.
“The kids loved them,” said Kris Fleming, entrepreneurship program facilitator and dual credit instructor at Hanover Central High School in Cedar Lake. “The videos were the perfect length, the worksheets made it easy to turn each episode into a meaningful classroom activity, and students were genuinely engaged. Hearing directly from real entrepreneurs reinforces what students are learning and makes it far more impactful.”
The first season features interviews with:
- Wade Breitzke, WeCreate in Valparaiso
- Allyson Straka, Frozen Garden in Valparaiso
- Carol Podolak, BNutty in Portage
- Maurice Shelton, Steel City Bakery in Gary
- Dr. Nassim Abdi, StoryBolt founder
- Sam Cooper, PolyJohn in Whiting
- Emily Edwards, Paradise Spreads in Merrillville
- DJ Moore, Erosion & Construction Solutions in Merrillville
- Joellen and Lewis Matzat, Lewellen Blooms in North Judson
- Edward Garza, El Popular in East Chicago
- Charita Lucas, dOSA Naturals and Future Cycle Breakers in Valparaiso
The series is part of the Society's SparkED initiative. Watch the videos and access the teaching materials here.
