by Lindsay Lord
| Linday Lord, GT teacher in St. Tammany Parish in Louisiana, made quite a splash when she shared about her students’ Shark Tank experience in a social media group! I wasn’t the only one who wanted more details, and I’m thrilled that she agreed to share more in a guest blog post. Thank you, Lindsay! I know you’re still reeling from this journey! |
When my students and I embarked on a multi-week project studying economics and entrepreneurship, I couldn’t Imagine where it would lead! I knew my students would enjoy and benefit from the culminating activity, a Shark Tank-style entrepreneur event with various members of our learning community posing as potential investors. But the cherry on top was when we got advice from Mark Cuban himself! The entire experience was a huge hit with both my students and colleagues and one that can be easily adapted for any grade level! (Note: the event got the attention of administrators in the district, so the media department created the video below.)
Involving students in creating original products or inventions often follows some basic steps:
- Each student identifies a real-world problem.
- Students research to ensure their ideas are unique.
- They build a prototype or model of their product.
- Students then draft a business plan and write informational essays to demonstrate their findings.
- They share their product ideas with an audience.
For our Shark Tank culminating event, the audience was a group of adults in our learning community that I had invited. They each assumed the role of SHARK and my students presented their product ideas in the same way as it’s done on the TV show. This was my students’ favorite part of the Shark Tank experience!
MY GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL EVENT
(1) FRAME THE EVENT: Real Problems, Real Solutions
I began by introducing students to the concept of entrepreneurship as a way to make an impact. I explained that their goal was to identify a problem they genuinely wanted to solve. I emphasized that successful entrepreneurs are often passionate about creating solutions to challenges they’ve experienced or observed in daily life. I shared videos about young entrepreneurs who have presented in THE TANK. My students enjoyed seeing Moziah Bridges present to the SHARKS and we visited his website to learn more. I wanted them to see that this young entrepreneur was able to create a successful business from a problem that he encountered/noticed as a young child. You might also share this video and this one.
This guessing game activity was also engaging; students tried to identify which famous entrepreneur created each product shown. I also used this resource with my middle school students.
This Shark Tank Economics Project (TPT-$7.50) was helpful, too. I used parts of it throughout our unit and with students across all grade levels.
*Tip for Teachers: I used different strategies to encourage students to think about problems and challenges in the world. With younger students, I asked them questions about school life or hobbies, prompting them to think of how their lives could be improved. In discussions with older students, I challenged them to consider larger social, environmental, or technological issues. You can read a little more about how I worked with specific students HERE.
(2) RESEARCH
We then discussed the basics of research and students explored existing products or services similar to their ideas. This step not only honed their research skills but also taught them about intellectual property and the importance of innovation. The students took a self-directed approach in their research, exploring both the existence of similar products and investigating specific topics related to their invention. My role was primarily to facilitate the process and provide guidance as needed, leading them in their own discoveries and analysis.
*Tip for Teachers: If students find that something similar already exists, don’t worry! This is an exciting chance for students to pivot and either improve upon it or branch out to another area where their product doesn’t exist.
(3) PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT
Once students had their ideas and research, it was time for the fun part—prototyping! Students created a physical model or a conceptual prototype using materials we had on hand: digital design tools, recycled items, etc. Classroom Hack: If resources are limited, encourage creative, low-cost solutions like cardboard, clay, or digital mockups on platforms like Canva. The goal is for students to visualize their concept, not to create a finished product.
(4) PRODUCT INFORMATION IN WRITING
Students then wrote an informational essay that connected to the specific topic or problem their product addresses. Tip: Use these essays as the foundation of their pitch. Practicing their writing will give them confidence in presenting, as they’ll know their material inside out.
(5) BUSINESS PLAN and PITCH
The next step was to introduce students to the basics of a business plan. We kept it simple: covered the product’s purpose, target audience, and potential costs and revenue. This step integrates math and economics skills in an accessible way. Students then used the information from their business plan to develop their pitch that was used for our Shark Tank event.
(6) REAL-WORLD INSPIRATION from ENTREPRENEURS
If possible, reach out to local entrepreneurs or even national figures for a virtual pep talk. In our case, students were lucky enough to receive tips from Mark Cuban himself! This connection adds a sense of legitimacy and can inspire students to think big. Idea for Your Event: If you can’t bring in someone live, consider showing video clips of well-known entrepreneurs sharing their insights or playing Mark Cuban’s message during the event. I also created a life-size cutout of Mark Cuban to bring our event to life (learn how I did this below under Tips for Sharks).
(7) HOST THE EVENT with a SHARK TANK THEME
On event day, set up a “Shark Tank” style environment. You can act as a judge (potential investor) or invite other teachers, administrators, or even local business owners to act as “sharks” and hear the pitches. I invited various members of my learning community and we set up a special table for them. I also provided each “shark” with a list of possible questions to ask and scratch paper to write down important information from students’ pitches that would help them during negotiations.
WELCOME SLIDES (download) / PROGRAM TEMPLATE (download)
Tips for Sharks: Encourage judges to ask questions that make students think critically but ensure that feedback is constructive. The aim is to inspire confidence and help them think about their projects from different perspectives. Also, encourage “sharks” to negotiate deals with students! Finally, if you’re curious about the Mark Cuban lifesize cutout, I had Walgreens print out his image as a banner and then hot glued it to foam board. Walgreens often has discounts and you can find foam board at Dollar Tree!
(8) CELEBRATE and REFLECT
After the presentations, we celebrated each student’s work. I created certificates for each entrepreneur and the SHARK that made a deal with them.
Follow-Up Activity: Have students write a reflection or create a short video about what they learned. This not only gives them a chance to process their experience but helps reinforce the skills they developed.
FINAL THOUGHTS
An event like this is more than a class project. It’s an empowering experience that equips students with a toolkit for problem-solving, research, business, and self-expression. With each presentation, they’re not only gaining academic skills but also learning to believe in their own ideas and capabilities. Whether or not they become entrepreneurs, they’ll walk away with an understanding of innovation and resilience—and who knows, you might even inspire a future Shark Tank star right in your classroom!
RELATED RESOURCES
INVENTION CONVENTION WORLDWIDE (for Educators)
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