Dartmouth High business and media students join forces for their own version of 'Shark Tank'

DARTMOUTH — The television studio at Dartmouth High School runs like a well-oiled machine. Students man the cameras on the floor and computers in the control room like they've been in the business all their lives. Here, their only job is to get the job done — and they do it often.

Still, their latest effort — a takeoff on the ABC reality show "Shark Tank" — was different enough, and big enough, to attract the attention of Superintendent Bonny Gifford, who proudly watched from an audience filled with students.

"It's an exciting day," she said to Dartmouth High Principal Russ Thibault, who was by her side. A few minutes later, the room went dark except for a brightly lit corner where students huddled around high-tech equipment, and the show began.

Dartmouth High's "Big Green Tank" is not much different in concept from its network inspiration, on which fledgling entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a high-profile panel of potential investors. For five business students, it was the culmination of a semester-long class that allowed them to work their ideas into the fleshed-out proposals they ended up giving to teachers and administrators -- playing the "sharks" -- on camera.

For the school and for the district, it was a glimpse at the kind of collaborative education it is increasingly embracing.

"It was a lot of work, but I've never seen classes so excited about learning," business teacher Rick White said after the first of two days of filming. "They're less focused on grades and more focused on results."

White said the collaboration between classes allowed students to learn outside of textbooks and put their enthusiasm for the subject matter into action. ​

"We're trying to change the mindset of what going to high school is," he said. "We're trying to keep kids engaged."

The business students pitched their ideas — among them, an oil-change business that comes to your driveway and a fashion line for short ladies — in pre-taped segments. Then, they fielded questions from the sharks who decided whether or not to invest their hypothetical money into the hypothetical companies. Dartmouth High teachers Steve Charest and Jeff Lemler, and associate principal Rachel Chavier, who all have experience in business, asked the tough questions.

Media production teacher Robert Perrotti, recognizing time limits imposed by the bell schedule, kept things moving, from guiding audience members to their seats in the bustling studio to overseeing operations in the next-door control room, separated by a glass wall.

The television studio — decorated with posters from iconic movies such as "The Breakfast Club," "Grease" and "Back to the Future" — is in the midst of a renaissance under Perrotti's leadership. It was just about empty when he showed up a few years ago, but has since secured state-of-the-art equipment necessary for serious productions thanks in part to grants and donations.

Media students get experience in various on-camera and behind-the-scenes roles, building the confidence in some cases to pursue more media work in college and beyond.

White's students are not as used to being in the spotlight but they didn't show any stage fright during their interactions with judges.

"I don't mind talking in front of people," senior Cory Oliveira said, moments after after pitching his oil change idea. His teacher, on the other hand, held his breath a bit while watching in the control room.

"I was nervous for my guys," White said with a laugh. "It's like watching your own kids out there. What are they going to say?"

Samaya Roukoz, who created the fashion line, Achante, admitted the experience was "nerve-wracking" but she showed up mentally prepared. It's great experience for the real world," she said.

In addition to how to launch a business idea, White said the experience taught his students how to communicate with adults in the business world, and to not be intimidated. "I think they did well under pressure," he said.

Thibault, midway through his first year as principal, said successful collaboration between classes requires a lot of planning, but the opportunities it opens for the students make it worthwhile.

"We love projects like this," he said after watching the first few segments filmed.

More collaboration is in the works. Five students participated last semester and twice as many are expected to participate this semester, likely ending in another episode of "Big Green Tank."