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EngineeringMathTechnology

Startup Product Accelerator

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Grades 6-875-90 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Future inventors come up with a simple physical product, build a rough prototype, price out real materials, and pitch it to a panel of family or friends. It is a fast, fun crash course in turning an idea into something you could really sell.

Budget levels

Amazon prices checked Oct 9-10, 2026 and may change

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Quick Start

Digital downloads only.

$0 to buy. Printing noted separately.

Student time: one class period, one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one class period on a single day.

Scale back: Fit it into a shorter period, use fewer effects, or run a demo instead of a build.

Scale up: Add one extra effect, or spread the share-out across another day.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

  • Decision matrix sheetPrintinguse what you have

Full Experience

Required materials for the class.

$0 per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Student time: one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one school day.

Scale back: Fit the build into one period with fewer effects.

Scale up: Spread the work across days, or add more effects.

Total Transformation

The bigger kit, with every optional item included.

$0 per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Student time: one day (one session, one-day event).

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one session, a one-day event.

Scale back: Shorten the event, or run a demo for a smaller audience.

Scale up: Spread the build and the event across days, or invite a bigger audience.

Materials

Cheap prototype materials (cardboard, tape and similar, as chosen); A family member or friend to interview; Price list for materials; Paper for sketches; Decision matrix sheet

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change.

As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

  • Cardboard sheets

    Cheap prototype materials (cardboard, tape and similar, as chosen)

    Shop

  • Paper

    Paper for sketches

    No link

Steps

  1. Interview a family member or friend about a small daily annoyance and record their exact needs.
  2. Write criteria (solves the problem in under 10 seconds, survives a 1 meter drop, user rates it 4 out of 5) and constraints (cost of 10 units under a set budget, uses safe household materials, reusable or recyclable parts). Note which material properties (strength, flexibility, waterproofing) matter.
  3. Sketch at least three different product concepts that could solve the problem.
  4. Score each concept in a decision matrix against the criteria and constraints, using a 1 to 5 scale, and total the scores.
  5. Build rough prototypes of the top two concepts and test each against the criteria (drop test, timed use, user rating). Update the matrix with the test results.
  6. Pick the winner, add up the cost for 10 units, and redesign if it breaks the budget.
  7. Pitch the product, the matrix, and the price to a small panel and fix the parts of the pitch that did not land.

Standards mapped

  • NGSS · MS-ETS1-1

    Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.

  • NGSS · MS-ETS1-2

    Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.