HASS · Year 7

Active learning ideas

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Active learning works because entrepreneurship demands practice in problem-solving, pitching, and resilience. When students simulate real-world scenarios like pitching to investors or redesigning products, they build the mindset and skills needed to turn ideas into value. These hands-on experiences make abstract concepts like risk and innovation tangible.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9E7K03

• 30–50 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Project-Based Learning
• 50 min · Small Groups

Shark Tank Simulation: Community Business Pitches

In small groups, students identify a local need like reducing school waste. They brainstorm an innovative solution, create a simple prototype using recyclables, and prepare a 2-minute pitch. Groups present to the class, who vote as 'investors' and provide feedback.

Explain the key qualities and challenges of being an entrepreneur.

Facilitation Tip

During the Shark Tank Simulation, give students clear evaluation criteria for their pitches, such as problem identification, solution clarity, and presentation style.

What to look for

Present students with three short scenarios describing individuals starting businesses. Ask them to identify which individual best demonstrates entrepreneurial qualities and to explain their reasoning using at least two key vocabulary terms.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Activity 02

• Jigsaw
• 40 min · Small Groups

Jigsaw: Trait Matching

Assign each small group an Australian entrepreneur like Canva's Melanie Perkins. Students research two key traits and challenges, then share in a jigsaw where groups teach others. Compile traits on a class chart.

Analyze how innovation drives economic growth and creates new industries.

Facilitation Tip

For the Entrepreneur Profile Jigsaw, assign each group a unique entrepreneur profile so all students contribute to the class discussion.

What to look for

Facilitate a class discussion using the prompt: 'Imagine you are an entrepreneur facing a major setback, like a key supplier going out of business. What are three specific actions you could take to show resilience and keep your business going?'

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

Activity 03

• Project-Based Learning
• 35 min · Pairs

Innovation Hackathon: Product Redesign

Pairs select everyday items like water bottles and redesign for a community issue, such as drought. Sketch improvements, test with peers, and explain economic benefits. Share via gallery walk.

Design a simple business idea that addresses a current community need.

Facilitation Tip

In the Innovation Hackathon, require teams to document each step of their redesign process to show incremental innovation.

What to look for

Students work in pairs to brainstorm a business idea for a community need. Each student then writes a single sentence describing their partner's idea and one question they have about its feasibility. Partners exchange feedback.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Activity 04

• Project-Based Learning
• 30 min · Pairs

Business Idea Speed Dating

Students rotate in pairs to pitch and refine one business idea addressing a class-voted need. After 5 rotations, they consolidate feedback into a final plan.

Explain the key qualities and challenges of being an entrepreneur.

Facilitation Tip

Use Business Idea Speed Dating to limit each conversation to 2 minutes so students practice concise communication.

What to look for

Present students with three short scenarios describing individuals starting businesses. Ask them to identify which individual best demonstrates entrepreneurial qualities and to explain their reasoning using at least two key vocabulary terms.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

A few notes on teaching this unit

Experienced teachers approach this topic by balancing creativity with structure. Avoid letting students focus only on the excitement of ideas; instead, ground each activity in real-world constraints like budget or market needs. Research suggests that failure simulation and structured feedback loops help students internalize resilience. Use local examples, like Atlassian, to connect abstract concepts to students’ lived experiences.

Successful learning looks like students confidently pitching ideas, identifying entrepreneurial traits in others, and proposing innovative solutions to community needs. They should articulate how resilience, creativity, and collaboration drive business success, not just memorize definitions.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During the Shark Tank Simulation, watch for students assuming quick success means their idea is flawless.

  Redirect by requiring students to present at least one failure they addressed and what they learned from it before refining their pitch.

• During the Innovation Hackathon, watch for students believing innovation requires a completely new product.

  Guide them to focus on incremental changes by asking, 'How does your redesign improve what already exists? Show us the evolution of your idea.'

• During the Business Idea Speed Dating, watch for students assuming starting a business requires significant startup capital.

  Challenge them to brainstorm low-cost solutions during conversations, such as using free tools or community resources.

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Methods used in this brief

• Project-Based Learning
• Jigsaw