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Food Packaging Startup

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Grades 6-860-75 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Teams design a simple package to protect a snack during shipping, testing insulation, cushioning, and material waste against a shipping drop test.

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Every level teaches the same core idea — pick the one that fits your time, budget, and energy today.

Prep: 10 minActivity: 30 min1 session~$0/groupOne table or a clear section of floorBeginner-friendly

Setup

Print or hand-copy the essential prompt for Food Packaging Startup, then set out only paper, pencils, and the common or recycled items needed for one test. Use a tabletop representation whenever the original version mentions a room, specialized device, or digital tool; the learning comes from the decisions and evidence, not elaborate scenery.

Activity

  1. Examine the snack item and predict what kind of impact or temperature change it needs to be protected from during shipping.
  2. Design and build a package using the least material needed to protect the item.
  3. Drop-test the package from a set height, find the item is damaged or the package used too much material, and redesign to fix the weak point.
  4. Present the final package design with its weight and protection test results, like pitching to a shipping client.

Done when: The group has completed Food Packaging Startup when it can present the final package design with its weight and protection test results, like pitching to a shipping client and point to the observation, measurement, comparison, or trial that supports its conclusion.

Materials

cardboard, bubble wrap or packing paper, tape, small scale, sample snack items

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Disclosure: Materials links below go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Steps

  1. Examine the snack item and predict what kind of impact or temperature change it needs to be protected from during shipping.
  2. Design and build a package using the least material needed to protect the item.
  3. Drop-test the package from a set height, find the item is damaged or the package used too much material, and redesign to fix the weak point.
  4. Present the final package design with its weight and protection test results, like pitching to a shipping client.

Standards it satisfies

  • NGSS · MS-ETS1-3

    Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.