The center's Dennis J. Weidenaar Classroom Business Enterprise (CBE) program gives K-12 students the opportunity to operate a real money business in their classrooms. Students decide what good or service to produce, gather the necessary productive resources, then market, produce, and sell their product. Through the CBE program, teachers learn how to tie CBE activities back to academic standards in math, reading and social studies, and how to integrate STEM topics into their projects.
The program includes an annual one-day showcase at Purdue's business school, in which students present their business plans to visitors. CBE showcases are open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend to support local students in their entrepreneurial efforts.
The CBE showcase is traditionally held each spring. Read about our 2025 Classroom Business Enterprise showcase.
Learn how to help your students start a classroom business!
Are you looking for ways to engage your students in social studies and math? Would you like to help your students earn real money to fund classroom projects? Join the Purdue Center for Economic Education for an exciting full-day professional development workshop on October 1, 2025, introducing the Dennis J. Weidenaar Classroom Business Enterprise (CBE) program! Veteran teachers will guide you step-by-step on how to successfully launch and run your own CBE.
Open to all grade levels and free for teachers to attend!
My students have learned so much about money, paying bills and investing. I'm so proud of their generous hearts and the support of our school to shop at our store — and it all started with the Purdue PCEE grant.
Barbara TilleyMintonye Elementary
