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Inside STEP: Bringing the General Education Curriculum to Life


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If you’ve ever wished your students could learn business, design, and teamwork, the kinds of career-ready skills that stick with them long after graduation, take a closer look at PSI’s STEP program. Through hands-on experience with the ecolor+ poster printer, students design, produce, and manage real-world printing projects that serve their schools and communities.


Now, with the newly expanded STEP program, it’s easier than ever for schools to bring that same excitement to life. One of the most adaptable pathways in the series is the General Education Curriculum, built for classrooms that want to merge creativity, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. 


As Rebecca Rugg, General Education Curriculum Writer and teacher at Turkeyfoot Valley Regional School, puts it:


“Using our 36-inch poster printer, my students run a school-based business that designs and produces posters for our school and community. Watching them take ownership, gain confidence, and experience real-world learning has been incredibly rewarding.”



Built by Teachers, for Teachers


The General Education Curriculum was created in collaboration with teachers already using STEP—designed by educators, for educators—to make implementation simple, flexible, and sustainable.


This curriculum brings together what teachers already do best: build community, foster creativity, and guide students through authentic learning experiences. When paired with the structure and support PSI provides, Rugg hopes that teachers and their students everywhere find success. 


“The STEP program has been such a meaningful experience because it gave me the opportunity to share what’s happening in my classroom with educators everywhere,” says Rugg.



Quarter 1 Overview: From Ideas to Designs


The first quarter lays the foundation for everything that follows. Students begin by exploring the purpose and structure of a school-based business, establishing classroom expectations, and learning how entrepreneurship connects to everyday problem-solving.


Next comes design training. Students dive into PosterArtist and Canva, mastering the basics of visual communication (color theory, typography, and layout) to create professional, eye-catching materials. By the end of the quarter, they’re completing a full design-to-print workflow, transforming a concept into a finished project.


Research supports this approach: students who engage in design-based and project-based learning demonstrate stronger problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which are essential components of college and career readiness (Edutopia, The Power of Project-Based Learning).



Quarter 2 Overview: Launching the Business


Once students have their design foundation, they move into full entrepreneurial mode by launching their business.


They create a brand identity with a name, logo, and cohesive visuals, then set up a functioning order system, complete with intake forms, workflow mapping, and mock orders. When it’s time to launch, students handle real clients and real orders, applying marketing strategies, tracking sales, and maintaining customer communication.


It’s a model of authentic learning that builds confidence and agency. “Writing this curriculum allows me to bring that same excitement and joy for hands-on, career-connected learning into other classrooms,” says Rugg. “So more students can experience the pride and creativity mine have found.”



Career-Connected Learning for Every Student


The General Education Curriculum isn’t just about running a print shop. It’s about preparing students for the future.


Through the STEP program, students develop transferable skills that directly support postsecondary readiness:

  • Collaboration – working in teams to meet real deadlines.

  • Communication – handling client correspondence and customer requests.

  • Design thinking – learning how to create with purpose and audience in mind.

  • Financial literacy – managing orders, pricing, and budgeting for materials.


These skills build the foundation for whatever comes next—college, trade programs, or the workplace. According to research from the U.S. Department of Education, students who participate in real-world, applied learning experiences are more likely to persist in postsecondary education and report higher engagement in their chosen career paths.



Real-World Impact, Real Support

The success of STEP comes from more than just great ideas. It’s the combination of structure, creativity, and support that makes it sustainable.


Each General Education Curriculum package includes:

  • Detailed lesson plans and objectives for each quarter.

  • Classroom visual aids to support instruction.

  • Editable digital materials for branding, forms, and marketing.

  • Ongoing support from the PSI team to ensure smooth implementation.


With these built-in supports, schools can implement STEP at their own pace, transforming classroom learning into something that connects directly to the world outside school walls.



Learn More About the Expanded STEP Program


From general education to graphic design, middle school to special education, the newly expanded STEP program gives every teacher a way to turn creativity into career-connected learning.


If you’re ready to see how the General Education Curriculum could transform your classroom, visit PSI’s website to explore resources, see examples, or connect with the STEP team.


Learn More About the STEP Program here:  https://www.presentationsys.com/stepnew



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