Students act as packaging designers to solve a realistic challenge for Hershey by creating and defending two candy container options that meet a target volume and use material efficiently. Through sketches, nets, prototypes, calculations, critique, and presentation, they apply volume and surface area concepts in a meaningful design process. The experience builds content expertise, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication as students use math evidence and feedback from an industrial designer to justify a final recommendation to a mock hiring panel.

Students will calculate and compare the volume and surface area of rectangular prisms and square pyramids using formulas, nets, measurements, and correct square and cubic units. They will design, test, and revise two candy container prototypes to meet a target volume while using the least material possible and considering appearance, storage, and practicality. Students will use evidence from sketches, calculations, prototypes, and feedback from an industrial designer to justify design choices in a portfolio and presentation. They will also strengthen collaboration and communication by sharing roles, giving critique, and presenting a clear design pitch to a mock Hershey hiring panel.

Students will create annotated sketches, nets, and quick paper test models for both a rectangular prism and a square pyramid as they explore dimensions, volume, and surface area. They will keep a short design portfolio with calculations, unit labels, feedback notes from the industrial designer, and a record of one idea to keep, one to change, and one to explore next. By the end, each team will produce two labeled paper prototypes, a final comparison display board, and a short pitch recommending which container Hershey should choose based on volume, material use, practicality, and appearance.

Open with a “Meet the Designer” packaging challenge: students examine a few real candy boxes, make quick observations about shape, appearance, and material use, and predict which designs are most efficient. Then an industrial designer joins in person or by video to explain how packaging teams balance cost, storage, protection, and visual appeal, while students record one idea to keep, one to change, and one to explore next. After the talk, reveal the Hershey design brief and have teams build a fast paper prototype of one possible container from a simple net to spark questions about volume, surface area, and practicality. Close with a gallery walk where teams compare prototypes and generate class “need to know” questions for the project.

Host a “Hershey Hire Me Fair” where student teams present both container prototypes, their design portfolio board, and a short pitch to a mock hiring panel made up of the industrial designer, school staff, families, and peers. Each team should explain how feedback changed their design, demonstrate how the nets assemble into 3D models, and defend their choice using surface area, volume, units, and material-use evidence. Set up a gallery walk so visitors can compare rectangular prism and square pyramid designs, leave written feedback, and vote on which package best balances cost, storage, and visual appeal. End with a brief celebration and reflection where students share one design decision they are most proud of and one thing they would improve for a real Hershey submission.