Lesson: Australian Shark Tank - Invent an Eco-Tourism Business!
Materials Needed
- Computer with internet access
- Notebook and pen or a digital document for note-taking
- Presentation software (like Google Slides, PowerPoint, or Canva)
- Optional: Video recording device (a smartphone works perfectly!)
Learning Objectives
Hi Madison! By the end of this project, you will be able to:
- Analyze the unique environmental and geographical features of a specific Australian region.
- Design a creative and sustainable business model for a tourism company that protects and celebrates Australia's natural environment.
- Develop a persuasive "pitch" that communicates your business idea clearly and effectively.
- Synthesize research from various sources to support your creative and business decisions.
Part 1: The Spark - Understanding the Challenge (Approx. 45 minutes)
Welcome to the Australian Shark Tank! Australia is one of the most beautiful and biodiverse places on Earth, but tourism can sometimes harm the very environments people come to see. Your mission is to become an "eco-preneur" and design a tourism business that is both fun for visitors and good for the planet.
- Brainstorming Warm-Up: In your notebook, quickly jot down everything that comes to mind when you think of "Australia." Think about animals, places, activities, and culture. Don't censor yourself—just write!
- Intro to Eco-Tourism: Watch the short video "What is Ecotourism?" by the Global Development Institute (you can find it easily on YouTube). As you watch, answer these two questions in your notebook:
- What are the three most important ideas behind ecotourism?
- How is it different from regular tourism?
- Explore the "Problem": Read one or two of the following articles about the impact of tourism on Australia's environment. This will help you understand the challenge your business will try to solve.
- "How tourism is affecting the Great Barrier Reef" (Search for recent articles from sources like The Guardian or National Geographic).
- "Managing tourism in Australian national parks" (Search for articles from Parks Australia or similar government sites).
Part 2: The Deep Dive - Research & Development (Approx. 2-3 hours)
This is where you become the expert! Your goal is to choose a location and develop the core idea for your business.
- Choose Your Location: Pick one Australian region to focus on. Don't just pick "Sydney"! Go for something specific and rich with natural beauty. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- The Daintree Rainforest, Queensland
- Kangaroo Island, South Australia
- The Kimberley, Western Australia
- Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
- The Red Centre (Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park)
- Become an Expert: Research your chosen location. Find answers to these questions:
- Environment: What is the ecosystem like? What are the key plant and animal species? Are any of them endangered?
- Culture: Is there a significant Indigenous Australian history or presence in the area? What are some cultural stories or sites? (Always research this with respect).
- Threats: What are the main environmental challenges this area faces? (e.g., bushfires, coral bleaching, invasive species, effects of too much tourism).
- Opportunities: What makes this place special? What would people want to see or do here?
- Develop Your Business Idea: Now for the creative part! Brainstorm a business that addresses a need or solves a problem in your location.
- Business Name: Give it a catchy, memorable name.
- The "What": What service will you offer? (e.g., Guided nocturnal wildlife tours, sea kayaking trips that include a beach clean-up, a sustainable lodge that runs on solar power, a cultural tour led by Indigenous guides).
- The "Eco" Angle: How is your business sustainable? How does it help the environment or the local community? This is the most important part! Be specific. (e.g., "10% of our profits go to koala habitat restoration," "We use electric boats to avoid water pollution," "We only serve food sourced from local, organic farms.").
Part 3: The Pitch - Building Your Presentation (Approx. 2 hours)
It's time to convince the "sharks" (me, your teacher!) to invest in your brilliant idea. You will create a 5-7 minute presentation. You can make a slideshow (Google Slides/PowerPoint) or film yourself giving the pitch!
Your pitch must include the following 5 slides/sections:
- The Hook (Title Slide): Your company name, logo (you can design a simple one!), and a powerful tagline.
- The Place & The Problem (1-2 Slides): Introduce your chosen location with beautiful pictures. Clearly explain the environmental or social problem your business will help solve. Why is your business needed?
- The Solution (1-2 Slides): This is your big idea! Describe your eco-tourism business in detail. What do customers do? What makes it unique? Most importantly, explain the specific sustainable practices you will use.
- The Impact (1 Slide): Explain why your business is a "win-win-win." How does it benefit (1) the tourist, (2) the local environment, and (3) the local community?
- The "Ask" (Final Slide): End with a powerful closing statement. In a real Shark Tank, you'd ask for money. For this project, your "ask" is to convince me why this is a fantastic, viable, and important idea.
Part 4: Presentation & Reflection (Approx. 30 minutes)
Present your pitch! If you've made a video, you can share it. If you've made a slideshow, you can present it live.
After your presentation, take a few minutes to reflect in your notebook:
- What was the most interesting thing you learned during your research?
- What part of creating your business idea was the most challenging?
- If you had unlimited resources, what is one other "eco" feature you would add to your business?
Assessment Rubric
| Category | Excellent (3 pts) | Good (2 pts) | Needs Improvement (1 pt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Analysis | Presentation shows deep, specific research into the location's environment and culture. The "problem" is clearly defined. | Presentation shows good general research. The "problem" is mentioned but could be more detailed. | Research is superficial or contains inaccuracies. The "problem" is unclear. |
| Creativity & Sustainability | The business idea is highly original, creative, and has specific, meaningful sustainable practices at its core. | The business idea is solid and includes some general sustainable practices. | The business idea is generic, and the link to sustainability is weak or unclear. |
| Presentation & Persuasion | The pitch is engaging, well-organized, visually appealing, and makes a powerful, persuasive case for the business. | The pitch covers all required sections and is clearly presented, but could be more engaging or persuasive. | The pitch is disorganized, missing key information, or difficult to follow. |
Extension Activities (Optional)
- Design a Brochure: Create a one-page travel brochure for your company using Canva or another design tool.
- Budget It: Create a simple budget. What would be your three biggest startup costs? (e.g., buying a boat, building a website, hiring a guide). What would you charge customers?
- A Day in the Life: Write a 500-word creative story describing a day from the perspective of a tourist experiencing your eco-tour.