Staff Reports
McCORDSVILLE — McCordsville Elementary School (MES) recently hosted its fifth annual “Shark Tank.” This event gives fourth graders the opportunity to create their own business ideas and present them to a panel of teachers who are posing as “sharks.” The Shark Tank event, modeled after the ABC television show where entrepreneurs have a chance to promote their ideas, with a video clip of the “Little After Noon” talk show. Host MES Art Teacher, Terry Trowbridge, interviewed the world famous band “Sonny and the Samsonites,” (also known as the MES fourth grade teachers).
The members, Cash (Mr. Keeler), Tiffany (Mrs. Hartley), Ruby (Mrs. Norton) and Sonny Samson himself (Mr. Wimmenauer), informed Mr. Trowbridge that it was time for them to move on from their band life and pursue a new career hosting “Shark Tank” at MES. When Sonny Samson was unable to attend this year’s event, fifth grade teacher Mrs. Kern won the chance to be a guest host for the show.
For the MES version of “Shark Tank,” five groups of fourth graders presented their business ideas to the teachers in front of the entire elementary school in the main gym. Each group’s business came with a promotional video created on iMovie, putting the students’ technological skills to the test.
The students tapped into their entrepreneurial and economic knowledge by creating a product that was cost-effective and relevant to the daily life of a consumer. The groups also put real-world skills to the test by creating a business plan, managing their project time and following guidelines given to them.
The business ideas that students presented included: Pets Unlimited: an all inclusive pet box that carries food, water, toys and leashes to avoid a mess in the house; Sweet Kingdom: a 3-D game board that takes you through a challenge with your friends; The Dreamers: a customizable chapstick holder that can be attached to anything; Magnet Movers: a magnetic version of the classic game of checkers; and WC beanbags: a comfortable bean bag that can seat up to three kids with a cupholder on the side.
Mr. Keeler, Mrs. Hartley, Mrs. Norton, and Mrs. Kern all enjoyed being ‘sharks’ and giving the fourth grade students the chance to show off their creative and innovative skills.
