How does gold get from the Earth's surface to a cell phone? Choose a commodity and explore its journey from raw resource to finished product! Register to explore the whole course here: https://school.bighistoryproject.com/bhplive?WT.mc_id=Slideshare12202017

1. TEACHER MATERIALS
PERSONAL SUPPLY CHAIN
Purpose
Improvements in travel and communication over the last 500 years have led to the interconnection of the four world zones but what does this mean for us today?
Students will research an item they use every day in order to understand how this item is made, how long it takes to travel to the area where they live, and how
much energy is needed in this process.
Process
Students will choose an item they use in their daily lives. They will research the raw materials needed to make it and how these raw materials come together to
form the finished product. They will also research what kind of transportation is used to get the final product to them and complete a map to mark the places where
their item is produced and where it must travel to get to them. Have students use the Big History Research Worksheet to document their work and ensure good
research practices.
Their research will specifically answer the following questions:
1. What are the raw materials needed for this product? Where are they found?
2. What are the steps involved in making this product? Where does each step in the production take place?
3. What energy is needed to produce this item? Where does that energy come from?
4. What kind of transportation, if any, is needed at each stage of the production process, including getting the finished product to you?
After completing the research and filling out the worksheet and map, have students exchange their work with at least one partner. Students will take about 5
minutes to look at their classmates’ work and answer the following questions:
1. What is the most surprising discovery you made in your research?
2. What is the most surprising discovery you see in the work of your classmates?
3. What does this tell you about the importance of interconnection today?
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 8.2 ACTIVITY

2. STUDENT MATERIALS
PERSONAL SUPPLY CHAIN
Purpose
Improvements in travel and communication over the last 500 years have led to the interconnection of the four world zones but what does this mean for us today? In
this activity, you’ll research an item you use every day in order to understand how this item is made, how long it takes to travel to the area where you live, and how
much energy is needed in this process.
Process
Choose an item you use in your daily lives. Research the raw materials needed to make it and how these raw materials come together to form the finished product.
You will also research what kind of transportation is used to get the final product to you and complete a map to mark the places where your item is produced and
where it must travel to get to you. Use the Big History Research worksheet to document your work and ensure you’re using good research practices.
Your research will specifically answer the following questions:
1. What are the raw materials needed for this product? Where are they found?
2. What are the steps involved in making this product? Where does each step in the production take place?
3. What energy is needed to produce this item? Where does that energy come from?
4. What kind of transportation, if any, is needed at each stage of the production process, including getting the finished product to you?
After completing the research and filling out the worksheet and map, your teacher will pair you up with another student. Take about 5 minutes to look at your
classmates’ work and answer the following questions and then your classmate will do the same for your work
1. What is the most surprising discovery you made in your research?
2. What is the most surprising discovery you see in the work of your classmates?
3. What does this tell you about the importance of interconnection today?
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 8.2 ACTIVITY

3. Date:
STUDENT MATERIALS
Name:PERSONAL SUPPLY CHAIN
Source / location of this
material or service
Materials needed
Energy needed and source
of this energy
Form of transportation
necessary, if any
Raw materials
Production
Transportation
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 8.2 ACTIVITY
My Item:

4. Date:
STUDENT MATERIALS
Name:PERSONAL SUPPLY CHAIN
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 8.2 ACTIVITY
My Item:
Mark all of the places on the map where steps in the production of your item take place. Mark the transportation routes as well.