This school year, the museum is a "Partner in Education" with the Laurens-Marathon 5th grade class. Recently, the we dived into the “Shark Tank” in a creative and
engaging project that promoted learning across subject areas. The
project was inspired by the reality TV show, “Shark Tank,” where
aspiring entrepreneurs hoping to secure funding for their projects
make presentations to potential investors who are seated on a shark
panel.
The project began with a presentation
by the museum called “Ten Iowa Inventions that Changed the World.”
The topic was gleaned from an issue of the Iowan Magazine. Working in
pairs, the students picked one of the inventions to research. With
the help of their classroom teacher as well as computer teacher Mrs.
Hoffman, they prepared a slide presentation. The last step for the
students was to pitch their invention to the local shark panel. The
panel of sharks wasn't made up of billionaires like on the TV show
though. Instead principal Troy Oehlertz, teacher Les Stewart,
classroom associate Kris Lampe and historical society members Connie
Dallenbach and Dorothy Lamberti served on the panel. The Sharks gave
feedback on the strengths of each presentation, such as creativity
and speaking skills, and pointed out areas of improvement. This
project involved the students in many of the academic standards they
are working on.
Matt Nath and Deshun Williams were
chosen as the winners with their presentation on the round hay baler.
Unlike the reality show, no money was awarded. Instead Deshun and
Matt each got a package of shark candy while the other participants
enjoyed a small package of fish candy.
