Instead of reaching for the typical tool of pen or pencil, senior Isaac Braak is handy with the jigsaw.

During his 6th hour class, Braak and teammates sever wood as they prepare the stringer, or middle, of the surfboard they’re making and marketing.

Braak’s 6th hour is iCreate 360, a new course designed for juniors and seniors to transform an idea into the construction and selling of a product. iCreate is unlike other classes Braak’s taken.

“It’s a lot different,” Braak said. “Two of the five days we’re at school we get to leave, but we still have homework.”

Mondays and Fridays during 6th hour, students are encouraged to work from home.

Business and technology teacher Chad Jettner, accounting teacher Diane Mahacek and technical education Jeremy Case co-teach the class on a rotation. In Jettner’s section, students develop their own business. With Mahacek, they work on their financial plan. In Case’s class, students build their surfboards.

In the past, classes have covered aspects of business, but the goal of iCreate is to guide students through the entire process of being an entrepreneur.

“Most people, they have ideas all the time,” Jettner said. “But they don’t know how to take it to the next step and so that’s what this class is really about.”

Junior Caroline Harvitt is curious about creating a business so iCreate 360 is a perfect match for her.

“I decided to take the iCreate 360 class because I wanted to learn about starting a business,” Harvitt said. “Not only just learning, but actually creating a business and applying it to the real world.”

Senior Luke Larkin is intrigued by the originality of iCreate.

“I like the creativity of it,” Larkin said. “The way you get to make your own business, make your own logo, make your own surfboard. I feel like I’m never going to get bored in the class because there’s always something to do.”

Jettner opened a business once, but wishes he knew then what he does now. By sharing his experiences, he’s able to give students insight into the world of entrepreneurship.

“Being an entrepreneur can be brutal and I want them to have an honest idea of what being an entrepreneur is all about,” Jettner said. “It certainly has some amazing perks, but it’s also a lot of work.”

Harvitt basks in the freedom and responsibility thrust upon her in iCreate.

“My expectations for the class were to have the teachers already have the main components done and the students fill in the blanks,” Harvitt said. “I was definitely wrong. The students are the ones figuring out everything and doing it on our own, which I really enjoy.”

Larkin’s excited to begin designing his surfboard.

“I’m really looking forward to when we actually get our surfboard going,” Larkin said. “We get to figure out the colors we’re going to put on it, start shaping it to the way we want it to be.”

The students and teachers are excited about the auction that will be held in May where they get the chance to see their creations being sold.

In the meantime, Braak’s content to develop his business and chop wood with his teammates.

“It’s a lot more freedom,” Braak said. “You have to manage your time better as the school year goes on. That will be interesting.”