Making Hard Choices* Science & Technology in Business

1. Making Hard Choices*Science & Technology in Business *In partial fulfillment of a TED 312 Multimedia Presentation requirement

2. Unit Objectives • Design and conduct an experiment evaluating the heat retention properties of various disposable and non-disposable cups • Identify and apply cost, and risk and benefit analysis to evaluate the merits of using various types of coffee cup designs • Access and complete a decision matrix webquest task • Use MS PowerPoint, charts and graphs to capture and present the results of research and analysis

3. Situation As newly hired researchers and business advisors to a new chain of coffee shops, you have been tasked to evaluate and recommend the most appropriate type of cup for use in serving coffee. The company’s vice president for marketing and research has asked you specifically to conduct research on heat retention properties of various disposable and non-disposable cups, but has also suggested that you identify and consider other factors such as cost of cups, use of recyclable materials less harmful to the environment if disposable cups are used, and how easy or difficult it will be for employees to maintain/clean/store cups if non-disposable cups are used.

4. Coffee Cup Options • Disposable • Polystyrene Cup • Paper Cup • Plastic Cup • Non-disposable • Ceramic Mug • Glass Mug • Metal Mug • Plastic Mug

5. Tasks: Experiment • Inventory all items required for the experiment • Cup/mug of each type to be tested • Thermometer – one for each container/wrap • Assign duties • Timer • Observer/Recorder – one each container • Establish sequence of test procedures • Step 1: Prepare cups for test • Step 2: Pour hot water in cup and insert thermometers • Step 3: Start timer; record temp every min for 30 mins

6. Tasks: Cost Analysis • Conduct inquiry outside of class to determine: • Cost of various cups • Average number of cups of coffee sold per week in chain of coffee shops • Average inventory (quantity) of disposable cups maintained at each store • Volume of space required to store cups • Presence of dish washing equipment in each shop • Other cost related analysis factors • Note: Students may add others based on their own assessments

7. Tasks: Environmental Analysis • Identify advantages and disadvantages of using each type of disposable cup from an environmental perspective • Consider such factors as: • Biodegradability of material • Impact on natural resources of using material

8. Tasks: Ease of Storage/Use • Consider whether each type of cup requires any different training of employees • Consider cup inventory storage requirements • Consider which types of cups would be easier to use by individuals with special needs

9. Student Presentation Requirements • Title/Group Slide • Problem Statement • Criteria (Factors) Considered • Description of Methodology Used • Results of Experimentation/Analysis • Temperature vs Time Chart (provided) • Course of Action Assessment Worksheet • Summarize assessments of non-temperature criteria • Decision Matrix • Recommendation

10. Chart (Example)

11. Questions