Shark Tank Instructions

Rules for Time Machine

• Each student shall choose a Gilded Age product and will play the role of the originator

• The class will divide into three groups for three rounds: 

Group 1) Entrepreneurs, 

Group 2) Sharks, 

Group 3) Audience. 

• After each round the groups will rotate their function.

• Three or Four students at a time will play the role of “Sharks.” Each will have a total of 1 million dollars to invest between all of the entrepreneurs.

• Each set of sharks will hear an appeal from all inventors. During each appeal, each shark must

  1. pretend that they know nothing of the invention, but only knowing the precursor technology (e.g., the sharks will not know of “lightbulbs,” but they will know of candles and lanterns).

  2. ask at least one question of the presenter.

  3. either announce “I’m out,” explaining why; or, make an offer of an investment, also explaining why

  4. keep in mind that their investment money is limited and they will not know who the second and third presenters will be; once their money is all spent, they may not continue to invest

• Each presenter shall

  1. research the history of the product and the inventor

  2. provide copies of a handout with illustrations and description

  3. present the product to the sharks with accuracy and passion

  4. answer each of the shark’s questions

  5. if given an offer for an investment, decide whether to accept or reject the offer

• The inventor that gets the most favorable investment will be deemed the winner for the round