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5th Grade  Lesson 45 minutes

Tech Tank: Innovate, Pitch, Profit!

MSilva34
Mar 10, 2026
Updated Jun 17, 2026
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Content Expertise
1-pager

Purpose

In this learning experience, students assume the role of young entrepreneurs tasked with developing an innovative technology product to address a community-relevant challenge. They navigate the process of creating a business plan, including crafting a budget and establishing a brand identity, to effectively pitch their ideas. This project facilitates critical thinking, effective communication, and content expertise, preparing students for real-world problem-solving by engaging them in meaningful, hands-on activities.

Learning goals

Students will explore how to identify community needs and innovate products to address them, effectively crafting business plans that highlight their solution's value. They'll utilize design principles to create compelling brand identities and engage in authentic communication through public presentations and interactive feedback. Throughout the process, learners will apply critical thinking to refine their ideas, drawing on real-world interactions to deepen content expertise and shift toward meaningful, community-centered problem-solving.

Competencies
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
  • Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.

Products

Students will develop innovative products such as a community garden kit, an eco-friendly lunchbox, a homework organizing app, a solar-powered classroom device, and a natural handmade soap line. These products will be designed with a focus on addressing community issues and promoting sustainability. Throughout the process, students will create digital logos, comprehensive business plans, and persuasive marketing materials. By the end of the project, they will present their final innovations at a Business Forum, demonstrating their understanding of product development and marketability.

Launch

Invite a local entrepreneur to share their journey, focusing on overcoming community-specific challenges and the impact of effective branding. Following their talk, facilitate a brainstorming session where students identify common problems in their community and sketch initial product ideas. Conclude with a creative simulation where students act as prospective inventors, presenting their rough ideas and receiving quick pitches from peers, sparking excitement and direction for their projects.

Exhibition

Students will participate in a 'Business Forum' where they will present their innovative product pitches. Each group will deliver a concise presentation, showcasing their business plan and product prototype, followed by a Q&A session to engage with audience members. This interactive setting will allow for real-time feedback and discussion on the viability and community impact of their projects.

Plan
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Empathize Define Ideate Prototype Test/Present
Empathize
Students will engage in human-centered research to understand real community needs before designing their Shark Tank products. Through direct user interaction and structured empathy tools, they will gather authentic evidence to inform future problem statements and business plans.
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Define
Students will synthesize their user interview data into clear empathy artifacts and craft a focused problem statement that defines the real need their Shark Tank product will address.
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Ideate
Students will generate a wide range of innovative, user-centered product ideas aligned to their defined community problem, then narrow to one strong concept using clear criteria connected to user needs, feasibility, and business value.
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Prototype
Students will build and refine a low-fidelity prototype of their Shark Tank product, using user feedback and documented iteration to improve how well their solution addresses a real community need.
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Test/Present
Students will validate their prototypes with authentic users, showcase their Shark Tank business ideas during a Business Forum, and reflect on feedback to demonstrate growth in user-centered design, communication, and problem-solving.
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Empathize
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Ideate
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