Discover Engineering in Central Texas

Origami Box Business

Grade Level:  Middle School, 5^th-8^th 

Related classroom topics:  Reverse Engineering, Economics

Supplies Needed: 

Divide students into groups of 3-5.  Have the following supplies ready with the associated “costs”: 

·        Scissors - $1

·        Ruler - $1

·        Paper - $1

Procedure: 

1.      Ask the students to assign roles to their members:

a.       Manager/Administrator—in charge of paper work, managing, speaking with the CEO

b.      Reverse Engineer designer—size of box and optimization of that is the main concern

c.       Manufacturer—in charge of buying and building the product efficiently

d.      Tester/Inspector—measure, label S, M, or L, and sell

e.       Presenter/Marketer

2.      Instruct the students to build boxes out of supplies they choose to buy.  The smaller the box the more revenue assigned:

a.       Small Box:  0-3in² = $3

b.      Medium Box:  3-6in² = $2

c.       Large Box:  6-9in² = $1

3.      Using the equation that Profit = Revenue – Cost, have the students graph their cost, revenue, and profit by Quarter.  Consider a quarter to be every 10 minutes.         

4.      Have the students present their graphs and findings to the class (presenter).

Extensions:  Given time, have students prepare visual to go with their company and their presentation.

Related topics you could discuss:  Reverse Engineering design, Teamwork, Creativity, and Problem Solving

Hints/Tips:  Keep the students actively discussing the possibilities of their company.  Suggest that the students assign the roles based on the skill set of their teammates.  Have some kind of initiative for team members and teams that work hard, to build up enthusiasm for the activity.