Problem Solving Opportunities

Unit Context

Unit: Entrepreneurship in Action (Lesson 7 of 12)
Year: 5 - 6 (Australian Curriculum v9)
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 110 students

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Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Investigate how entrepreneurs identify problems and create opportunities within their communities.
• Analyse real-world examples of entrepreneurs who have successfully addressed community needs.
• Understand the entrepreneurial process of problem solving and opportunity creation.

Australian Curriculum Links

Humanities and Social Sciences (Economics and Business)

• AC9HE5K01: Explore how entrepreneurs respond to opportunities and challenges in business and community contexts (adapted for Year 5–6).
• AC9HE5S01: Investigate the characteristics and roles of entrepreneurs; how they identify opportunities and solve problems for economic and social benefit.

General Capabilities

• Critical and Creative Thinking: generating ideas, problem-solving strategies.
• Personal and Social Capability: working collaboratively, communicating ideas.

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Lesson Overview

Time (mins)	Activity	Description	Curriculum Links
0 – 10	Introduction and Engagement	Brief introduction to entrepreneurship, focusing on problem solving and opportunity creation. "What is a problem in your community that needs solving?"	AC9HE5K01
10 – 25	Case Study Investigation	Present 2-3 examples of young or local Australian entrepreneurs who identified a problem and created an opportunity by solving it (e.g., a recycling initiative, a tech solution for local needs). Students discuss in small groups what problem was addressed and how an opportunity was created.	AC9HE5S01
25 – 40	Problem Identification Activity	In groups, students brainstorm common problems in their school or local community. Each group selects one problem to explore.	AC9HE5K01, Critical Thinking
40 – 55	Opportunity Creation Task	Groups devise a simple business idea or community initiative that solves the selected problem and benefits the community. Prepare a brief presentation.	AC9HE5S01, Personal and Social Capability
55 – 60	Group Presentations and Reflection	Groups share their ideas with the class. Teacher facilitates reflective discussion on how identifying problems helps entrepreneurs create opportunities and benefit the community.	AC9HE5K01, AC9HE5S01

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Detailed Lesson Plan

1. Introduction and Engagement (10 minutes)

• Teacher introduces the concept of entrepreneurs as people who find problems and create opportunities to solve them.
• Use guiding questions:
  • What is a problem you notice in your community or school?
  • How do you think someone could solve this problem?
• Show a simple definition or short video clip (age-appropriate) about entrepreneurship focused on problem solving.
• Highlight how entrepreneurs improve communities.

2. Case Study Investigation (15 minutes)

• Present 2-3 brief stories of young/local Australian entrepreneurs. Examples could include:
  • A student who created a recycling program at school.
  • A young tech innovator who developed an app to help seniors.
• Provide printable or projected short case studies with pictures.
• Students work in groups (approx. 5 students) to discuss these questions and answer on a worksheet:
  • What problem was the entrepreneur solving?
  • What opportunity did they create?
  • How did their idea help the community?
• Teacher roves groups, guiding and probing understanding.

3. Problem Identification Activity (15 minutes)

• Groups brainstorm common problems in their own school or local community, writing up to 5 problems on large paper or whiteboards.
• Each group chooses one problem to focus on.
• Teacher facilitates prompts to encourage realistic, age-appropriate issues (e.g., litter in playground, lack of recycling bins, too much noise).

4. Opportunity Creation Task (15 minutes)

• Groups create an outline for a simple business idea or community project that solves their chosen problem.
• Prompt students to think about:
  • What is their solution?
  • Who will benefit?
  • What resources or help might they need?
• Each group prepares a 2-minute presentation to share their opportunity — simple drawings, posters, or verbal explanation.

5. Group Presentations and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Groups present their ideas to the class briefly.
• Teacher facilitates a class discussion focusing on:
  • How did identifying a problem inspire their idea?
  • Why are problem solving and opportunity creation important for entrepreneurs?
  • How can these skills help their community?
• Reinforce entrepreneurial mindset: noticing issues & creating solutions.

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Assessment

Formative assessment through:

• Group discussion contributions in case study activity.
• Group brainstorming and selection of problems.
• Quality and creativity of opportunity creation presentations.

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Resources

• Case study printouts or projected slides of young/local entrepreneurs.
• Large paper/whiteboards for group brainstorming.
• Markers and poster materials.
• Video clip on entrepreneurship (optional).

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Differentiation

• Provide sentence starters and concept vocabulary for English Language Learners.
• Allow drawing or role-play for students needing alternative expression options.
• Mixed-ability grouping to promote peer support.

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Extensions

• Encourage students to trial their idea in the school community as a mini-project.
• Link to Digital Technologies curriculum for students to create digital presentations or apps addressing problems (AC9TDI6P07).

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This lesson plan aligns with the Australian Curriculum v9 for Economics and Business in Years 5-6, engaging students in core entrepreneurial skills of problem identification, opportunity creation, and community focus, vital for their personal development and economic understanding.