Price Check: What is the True Cost
Author: | Sonja McKay |
Level: | Middle School |
Content Area: | Environment Science, Biology |
Author: | Sonja McKay |
Level: | Middle School |
Content Area: | Environment Science, Biology |
How does packaging play a factor in what I buy?
Students are introduced to thirty consumer mindsets. Students will analyze the consumer mindsets to determine which ones most influence their personal choices. Through partner work and larger group work, students will narrow down their list of influences to the top five most influential consumer mindsets. Results will be shared as a class. The most influential mindsets for each group will be connected to the four main purposes of packaging (convenience, protection, image, and sustainability) allowing students to evaluate which purpose of packaging most heavily influences their consumer choices.
Students will collaborate to analyze consumer mindsets and learn which factors most influence the motivation to buy products with different packaging.
1 class period (45-60 minutes)
None
Packaging Lesson 2: Purpose of Packaging
Did you know: The average American supermarket now carries some 20,000 lines and the superstores up to 40,000 lines. 80% of the shopping decisions are made at the point of purchase (when you buy the item in the store). It takes the average consumer less than seven-seconds to decide whether to buy most items. How does packaging influence us to make these numerous, quick decisions?
A packaging company completed an extensive study in 2007 and realized there are numerous consumer mindsets (set of attitudes or assumptions) that are important to people as they chose to buy products. Usually, we make these decisions so quickly that we don’t give them much thought. Today you will closely analyze thirty consumer mindsets and reflect on which ones are the most important to you when making a purchase.
Continuously monitor the room and ask probing questions to each pair/group to informally asses student understanding of the activity and the consumer mindsets.
Use the Reflection page to formally assess student learning. Collect student reflections at the beginning of the next class.
Students can initially work in threes to incorporate those who struggle with reading comprehension. Students who struggle with group work and those that work best in extremely quiet environments can work alone when initially introduced to the material. Be sure to incorporate these students into the larger group discussions when they are ready, or when determined by the teacher.
Consumer mindset
Point of purchase