WHAT:  5th grade entrepreneurs develop a product and enter the Shark Tank to pitch their idea and gain start-up “funding” to run their business during annual Box City project

WHY:  Adding rigor and relevance to the curriculum; integrating and reinforcing cross-curricular skills; challenging students to develop innovative ideas and apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills; tapping into creativity; encouraging student agency; introducing financial literacy and business development  skills; applying mathematical knowledge; practicing the art of persuasion, negotiation and decision-making; simulating real world experience to strengthen understanding