Shark Tank returns to Willowbrook

This past week, economics students at Willowbrook participated in the school’s annual Shark Tank project, which is based on the ABC TV show “Shark Tank.” The project asks students to form a business and act as entrepreneurs, attempting to gain an investment from the “sharks,” who in this case are faculty members.

Groups collaborate on a concept and develop a brochure, commercial and presentation to present to the sharks. This year, economics teacher Matt Clapper had his students start the project earlier in the semester.

“I wanted to encourage students to think about this project for more than just one month,” Clapper said. “That way, they can really conceptualize their project, do market research and thoroughly prepare for the potential questions the sharks might ask.”

The goal for the project is to have students apply the knowledge they gain throughout the semester into each of their project creations.

“The students are encouraged to think about all aspects of business,” Clapper said. “They gather data, research costs and revenues associated with supplying and producing their product/service and evaluate potential profits. I tried to stress to my students to really focus on whether or not their idea can work and be profitable.”

The students also get to experience an interview-type atmosphere in front of the sharks.

“Students are not prepped on the specifics of what the sharks will ask, so they need to think quickly to entice the sharks to want to invest in their company,” Clapper said.

Some of the sharks' favorites from this semester included Aquatec (compression gear infused with microscopic cells that regulate body temperature), InstaOutfit (an application that allows individuals to create and publish their own fashion creations using what’s already in their closet and items from a number of retailers) and The Shannie (a neck wrap that protects an individual from getting burned by hair care tools such as flat irons).

For more information about the Shark Tank project, contact Clapper at mclapper@dupage88.net or 630-782-3087.