Shark Tank: The Industrial Revolution:
Introduction: This activity is a representation of the ABC show “Shark Tank.” The purpose of
this assignment is to have the students research the Top 10 inventions of the Industrial
Revolution and explain why their invention is important. This will also act as a medium to teach
the rest of the class about the group’s specific invention, when it was invented and who
invented it. Mr. Martin, a member of administration and I will be the “sharks” and we will
choose to make them an offer if we have faith in their invention. Each shark will come from a
different background, just as they do in the show.
Procedure: The groups will be given half of the day to research and the other half to make their
sale’s pitch to the sharks. Each group will be assigned one of the top 10 inventions of the
Industrial Revolution. They will also need to come up with a corporation name that
incorporates their inventor or the name of the invention.
Top Ten Inventions:
1. Cotton Gin
2. The telegraph
3. The Sewing Machine
4. Mechanical Reaper
5. Kodak Camera
6. Coke-fueled furnace
7. Watt’s steam engine
8. Steam Boat
9. Processed steel
10. The spinning Jenny
Guided Questions:
1. Who invented your topic?
2. Why is your invention important?
3. How did your invention impact its region?
4. What is your argument and why do we need this invention?