Shark Tank Economics: The Ultimate Classroom Simulation Activity
Simulation at a Glance: This Shark Tank classroom simulation from Mister Harms is a high-engagement project for middle and high school economics. Students become entrepreneurs, applying concepts like scarcity and equity to pitch business ideas to "Sharks." This ready-to-teach resource includes pitch templates, rubrics, and slides, providing an authentic, hands-on entrepreneurship lesson for any social studies or business classroom.
We’ve all seen the glazed-over look in students' eyes when we start talking about market structures or venture capital. As teachers, we know these concepts are the heartbeat of the economy, but bridging the gap from a textbook to the real world is the challenge. The Shark Tank classroom simulation is the "silver bullet" for engagement. It transforms passive learners into active entrepreneurs, forcing them to think critically, speak publicly, and apply economic theory in real-time.
Bring the excitement of Shark Tank into your classroom with this complete entrepreneurship activity! Students create their own businesses, develop marketing strategies, and pitch to a panel of “sharks.” Perfect for Business, Economics, Marketing, or Career classes.
Turn your classroom into a high-stakes entrepreneurial arena with this Shark Tank Business Simulation Project! Designed for middle and high school students, this interactive resource gives your students the opportunity to think like entrepreneurs, work collaboratively, and present like professionals — all while practicing real-world business and marketing skills.
Whether you teach Business Education, Economics, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Personal Finance, or Career Prep, this ready-to-use project will engage your students through critical thinking, creativity, and persuasive communication.
🔑 Why This Resource Stands Out:
✅ Complete Shark Tank classroom activity with editable templates and teacher directions
✅ Students create original business plans, marketing strategies, and startup budgets
✅ Fake money investment rounds from teachers and staff simulate real-world economics
✅ Final Shark Tank-style presentations include Q&A and dramatic funding decisions
✅ Includes Google Slides templates, printable rubrics, investor forms, and more
✅ Ideal for project-based learning, CTE programs, and 21st-century skill building
✅ No prep required – just print, assign, and launch the tank!
⭐️ Save 25% on this resource & others with my Economics Resources Bundle!
⭐️ Download a sample preview to learn more!
⭐️ Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers
⭐️ Read more on my Shark Tank Blog Post
What's Included:
✅ Detailed Teacher Directions from Start to Finish
✅ Easy to Understand Student Directions for the Entire Simulation
✅ Student Templates for Business Planning, Budget, marketing, etc.
✅ Rubrics & Evaluation Sheets for Teachers and Sharks
✅ All Necessary Guidelines for Presentation
✅ Email Templates to send to the teacher investors (no prep for you)
✅ List of Questions to Help the Sharks Drill the Teams
✅ Announcing Scripts to make the Shark Tank Day Dramatic & Fun
✅ So Much More..... Download the preview to see it all!
📋 Project Process Overview:
⏱️ Step 1: Students form teams and create their own company using a structured planning guide.
⏱️ Step 2: Teams design a simplified promotional pitch to attract early-stage "teacher investors."
⏱️ Step 3: Teachers receive $1 million in fake money to invest in teams via an included Google Form, in $100,000 increments. They get prizes for how much they invest in the winning team!
⏱️ Step 4: Teams use their investment earnings to finalize business plans, with newly received financials.
⏱️ Step 5: Students create a professional final pitch presentation using digital tools like Canva or Google Slides.
⏱️ Step 6: Teams present live in a Shark Tank-style event in front of 4 teacher or staff “sharks.”
⏱️ Step 7: Sharks ask follow-up questions and evaluate pitches using provided rubrics and notes. (List of potential questions are included)
⏱️ Step 8: Each shark receives $2 million to invest in $100,000 chunks across any team they choose.
⏱️ Step 9: Total investments are tallied from both teacher investors and sharks to determine the winning company.
⏱️ Step 10: Winning teams and sharks are celebrated, and fun prizes or classroom rewards are distributed to winning investors. Real life investments turn into real rewards! Both teachers and students win!
📚 Learning Objectives:
Develop an original business idea and target audience
Create a marketing plan including logo, slogan, and strategy
Construct a budget and product pricing
Deliver a persuasive business pitch to a panel of “sharks”
Apply critical thinking, teamwork, and public speaking skills
⭐ Why Teachers Love It:
Perfect for end-of-unit projects, career days, or entrepreneurship weeks
Engages students with real-world skills and creativity
Easy to implement with step-by-step instructions
Works for in-person, hybrid, or distance learning
Aligned with 21st Century Skills and CTE standards
❤️ Perfect For:
Business & Marketing Classes
Economics Units
CTE & Career Readiness Courses
Project-Based Learning
Gifted & Talented Enrichment
Entrepreneurship Clubs or DECA Preparation
🚀 Boost Engagement, Build Future Skills
Bring real-world business and entrepreneurship into your classroom with this engaging Shark Tank Simulation Project, designed for middle school and high school students. Perfect for Economics, Business, Marketing, or Career Readiness classes, this ready-to-use project immerses students in the role of entrepreneurs as they create companies, pitch their ideas, and seek investments from real-life “shark” judges.
Created by a classroom educator and trusted resource developer, this project promotes collaboration, creativity, financial literacy, and critical thinking—all while making learning fun and meaningful. Whether you're planning a capstone project, a PBL unit, or an entrepreneurship day, this simulation is your one-stop classroom event kit.
This resource gives your students the tools to become future-ready innovators while keeping your classroom lively and purposeful. Join thousands of other educators using Shark Tank simulations to transform traditional economics and entrepreneurship lessons into something unforgettable.
Get ready to make your classroom the most exciting business pitch room in education. 🦈
🙏 Thank You!
Thanks so much for stopping by. It's great to meet you! I hope this resource adds value to your classroom. If you have time, I'd love for you to leave a rating on this product with your awesome feedback, and make sure to follow Mister Harms for important updates and savings. I would also love to see how you've incorporated this product into your classroom. Feel free to post a photo of this resource in action and tag @misterharms so I can meet you! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Want More?
Why Entrepreneurship Matters in the Modern Classroom
In today's rapidly changing economy, students need more than just definitions; they need entrepreneurial mindsets. This simulation moves beyond rote memorization. By participating in a business pitch, students grapple with scarcity, production costs, target demographics, and persuasive communication. Whether they are in middle school or high school, this activity meets them where they are and provides a high-stakes (but high-fun) environment to fail forward and succeed.
This simulation isn't just a fun "filler" activity; it is designed to help students master core concepts found in the national standards for financial literacy. By calculating profit margins and equity, students are practicing the exact skills recognized by top economic educators.
What’s Included in This Simulation Resource
This comprehensive resource is designed to be "plug-and-play" so you can focus on facilitating rather than prep.
Teacher Instruction Guide: A step-by-step roadmap for the week.
Student Pitch Templates: Organizers to help students refine their business ideas.
Product Development Rubrics: Clear grading criteria for both the pitch and the plan.
Shark Scorecards: Evaluation sheets for your "Sharks" to use during presentations.
Presentation Slides: Visuals to guide the classroom through each phase of the project.
And so much more. Explore the Full Shark Tank Classroom Simulation
Implementation: How to Teach This Simulation
Students in the shark tank, presentitng their pitch to the sharks!
Students create a business using a guided planning document (I’ve got you covered with editable templates).
They develop a 2-page promotional pitch to hook early investors (a.k.a. your colleagues).
Teacher investors get $1 million in fake money to invest in student companies using a simple Google Form.
Students use their “funding” to build a full-blown Shark Tank presentation—this time with startup costs, projected profits, and all the juicy details.
They present to a panel of four staff members acting as Sharks (yes, your principal can be the next Lori Greiner).
Sharks ask tough questions, then invest $2 million each.
The team with the most investment wins. Bragging rights are forever.
⭐️ Teacher Tip: Before students start their pitch, they need a solid foundation in financial literacy. You can use effective financial literacy discussion prompts to help students identify a real-world problem that needs a solution, ensuring their business plans are grounded in actual consumer needs.
Shark Tank Classroom FAQ
How long does this activity take?
Typically, this simulation takes 5 to 7 class periods. This includes two days for research and development, one day for pitch practice, and two to three days for the final presentations.
Can this be done individually or in groups?
While it can be done individually, it shines as a small group project (2-3 students). This encourages collaboration and allows students to divide roles like "Creative Lead" and "Financial Officer."
Do I need to have seen the show to teach this?
Not at all! The resource provides all the structure necessary to explain the concept of a "pitch" and "equity" to your students.
Ready to see your students become the next generation of innovators? Click here to grab the full Shark Tank Economics Simulation in the Mister Harms Shop!
Love this idea? Pin it for later by hovering over the image below!
Looking for a way to engage your students in entrepreneurship? This Shark Tank classroom simulation is the ultimate hands-on project for middle and high school economics. Students develop products, analyze markets, and pitch to "Sharks." Perfect for business and social studies! #SharkTankEducation #EconomicsTeacher #SecondarySocialStudies #ClassroomActivity #MisterHarms
Dive Deeper Into The SHark Tank
🧠 What Students Learn (Without Even Realizing It)
How to write a pitch that sells
How to work as a team under pressure
How to speak confidently and answer questions on the fly
How the economy works from the inside out
Bonus: It’s a safe space to fail. And fail fast. And bounce back stronger. You know—the stuff actual entrepreneurs do every day.
🧰 What Teachers Get (Besides Engagement)
A full project that takes minimal prep with more time to plan on other things
Built-in flexibility for class size, time, and student needs
Editable Google Docs, rubrics, and email templates
A simulation that covers multiple social studies and economics standards
A reason for your admin to walk in and say, “Wow—this is amazing.”
Bring the excitement of Shark Tank into your classroom with this complete entrepreneurship activity! Students create their own businesses, develop marketing strategies, and pitch to a panel of “sharks.” Perfect for Business, Economics, Marketing, or Career classes.
Turn your classroom into a high-stakes entrepreneurial arena with this Shark Tank Business Simulation Project! Designed for middle and high school students, this interactive resource gives your students the opportunity to think like entrepreneurs, work collaboratively, and present like professionals — all while practicing real-world business and marketing skills.
Whether you teach Business Education, Economics, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Personal Finance, or Career Prep, this ready-to-use project will engage your students through critical thinking, creativity, and persuasive communication.
🔑 Why This Resource Stands Out:
✅ Complete Shark Tank classroom activity with editable templates and teacher directions
✅ Students create original business plans, marketing strategies, and startup budgets
✅ Fake money investment rounds from teachers and staff simulate real-world economics
✅ Final Shark Tank-style presentations include Q&A and dramatic funding decisions
✅ Includes Google Slides templates, printable rubrics, investor forms, and more
✅ Ideal for project-based learning, CTE programs, and 21st-century skill building
✅ No prep required – just print, assign, and launch the tank!
⭐️ Save 25% on this resource & others with my Economics Resources Bundle!
⭐️ Download a sample preview to learn more!
⭐️ Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers
⭐️ Read more on my Shark Tank Blog Post
What's Included:
✅ Detailed Teacher Directions from Start to Finish
✅ Easy to Understand Student Directions for the Entire Simulation
✅ Student Templates for Business Planning, Budget, marketing, etc.
✅ Rubrics & Evaluation Sheets for Teachers and Sharks
✅ All Necessary Guidelines for Presentation
✅ Email Templates to send to the teacher investors (no prep for you)
✅ List of Questions to Help the Sharks Drill the Teams
✅ Announcing Scripts to make the Shark Tank Day Dramatic & Fun
✅ So Much More..... Download the preview to see it all!
📋 Project Process Overview:
⏱️ Step 1: Students form teams and create their own company using a structured planning guide.
⏱️ Step 2: Teams design a simplified promotional pitch to attract early-stage "teacher investors."
⏱️ Step 3: Teachers receive $1 million in fake money to invest in teams via an included Google Form, in $100,000 increments. They get prizes for how much they invest in the winning team!
⏱️ Step 4: Teams use their investment earnings to finalize business plans, with newly received financials.
⏱️ Step 5: Students create a professional final pitch presentation using digital tools like Canva or Google Slides.
⏱️ Step 6: Teams present live in a Shark Tank-style event in front of 4 teacher or staff “sharks.”
⏱️ Step 7: Sharks ask follow-up questions and evaluate pitches using provided rubrics and notes. (List of potential questions are included)
⏱️ Step 8: Each shark receives $2 million to invest in $100,000 chunks across any team they choose.
⏱️ Step 9: Total investments are tallied from both teacher investors and sharks to determine the winning company.
⏱️ Step 10: Winning teams and sharks are celebrated, and fun prizes or classroom rewards are distributed to winning investors. Real life investments turn into real rewards! Both teachers and students win!
📚 Learning Objectives:
Develop an original business idea and target audience
Create a marketing plan including logo, slogan, and strategy
Construct a budget and product pricing
Deliver a persuasive business pitch to a panel of “sharks”
Apply critical thinking, teamwork, and public speaking skills
⭐ Why Teachers Love It:
Perfect for end-of-unit projects, career days, or entrepreneurship weeks
Engages students with real-world skills and creativity
Easy to implement with step-by-step instructions
Works for in-person, hybrid, or distance learning
Aligned with 21st Century Skills and CTE standards
❤️ Perfect For:
Business & Marketing Classes
Economics Units
CTE & Career Readiness Courses
Project-Based Learning
Gifted & Talented Enrichment
Entrepreneurship Clubs or DECA Preparation
🚀 Boost Engagement, Build Future Skills
Bring real-world business and entrepreneurship into your classroom with this engaging Shark Tank Simulation Project, designed for middle school and high school students. Perfect for Economics, Business, Marketing, or Career Readiness classes, this ready-to-use project immerses students in the role of entrepreneurs as they create companies, pitch their ideas, and seek investments from real-life “shark” judges.
Created by a classroom educator and trusted resource developer, this project promotes collaboration, creativity, financial literacy, and critical thinking—all while making learning fun and meaningful. Whether you're planning a capstone project, a PBL unit, or an entrepreneurship day, this simulation is your one-stop classroom event kit.
This resource gives your students the tools to become future-ready innovators while keeping your classroom lively and purposeful. Join thousands of other educators using Shark Tank simulations to transform traditional economics and entrepreneurship lessons into something unforgettable.
Get ready to make your classroom the most exciting business pitch room in education. 🦈
🙏 Thank You!
Thanks so much for stopping by. It's great to meet you! I hope this resource adds value to your classroom. If you have time, I'd love for you to leave a rating on this product with your awesome feedback, and make sure to follow Mister Harms for important updates and savings. I would also love to see how you've incorporated this product into your classroom. Feel free to post a photo of this resource in action and tag @misterharms so I can meet you! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Want More?
🛒 Ready to Jump In the Tank?
I’ve bundled everything into a classroom-ready resource on Teachers Pay Teachers and also available right here on the Mister Harms Store. It includes:
Teacher directions
Student planning docs
Editable pitch templates
Investment tracking tools
Rubrics, schedules, scripts, and more
All you have to do is download, assign, and let the business battles begin.
📣 If Your Class Was a Business, would you invest in it?
Of course you would! Make your class a place where ideas matter, voices are heard, and students walk away feeling like CEOs-in-training. With this Shark Tank Simulation, you’re not just teaching economics—you’re creating future leaders, innovators, and maybe even the next Mark Cuban. So let’s make entrepreneurship fun, fearless, and unforgettable. Your classroom deserves it.
⭐️Want to see more creative simulations and practical resources for middle and high school social studies?
Join my classroom and follow along for more ideas that actually work.
