Coffee for Peace

Objectives:
o Students will learn how to find the mean, median, and mode of data.
o Students will learn how to use linear programming to find the maximum
profit using constraints.
o Students will gain a beginning understanding of fair trade and its
significance.

Resources/Materials List:
o Internet access for students to research the cost of coffee and human rights
violations.
o Poster board and markers will be needed for human rights violations charts
and the Coffee for Peace Project.
o Student copies of the Coffee for Peace handout.

Design:
Students will begin the month by learning about fair trade by researching the cost
of coffee, fair trade and non-fair trade. We will use our math skills to find the mean,
median, and mode of the costs in both categories. This will be followed with a
discussion as to why, if any, price discrepancy exists. On the next day, students will
be given time to research documented company human rights violations and
prepare their findings in charts. These charts will be distributed around the school
to raise the awareness to the school community. Following this, we will spend a day
during class, as well as have outside assignments, learning more about fair trade
and Peace Coffee. As a culminating activity, Coffee for Peace Project, students
would sell Peace Coffee products as a fundraiser for our partner school or another
organization in Ghana. I would then urge students to become advocates for fair
trade by changing what they purchase, challenging their families to change theirs,
and write to political leaders sharing what they’ve learned and urging for change.

Time line:
o Two 45-minute class periods will be used for researching coffee prices, finding
the statistical analysis of the costs, and discussing any price discrepancies.
o One 45-minute class period will be used for researching human rights
violations and creating charts to illustrate their findings.
o One 45-minute class period will be used to learn about fair trade and Peace
Coffee.
o Students will use time outside of class to complete the Coffee for Peace
Project and writing to their partner.

Grading Rubric:
Cost Equation 1 point
Price Equation 1 point
Objective Quantity Equation 1 point
 Constraints 2 points
Number of each item to maximize profit 4 points
Maximum profit per day 1 point
Maximum profit per month 1 point
Analyze 2 points
Presentation 2 points
Total 15 points

Evaluation
o Students’ comprehension of mean, median, and mode will be determined by
their accuracy on their answers for coffee prices.
o Using the rubric, student depth of understanding of linear programming will
be determined by their performance.
o Student responses during discussions will determine their level of
understanding of fair trade and its significance.
 Coffee for Peace Project

Your group is going to create a company that offers two items from Peace Coffee.

Answer the following questions about your items. You must include ALL work used

to obtain each answer. Point values are given next to each requirement with a total

of 15 points possible.

1. Cost Equation 1 point

2. Price Equation 1 point

3. Objective Quantity equation 1 point

4. Constraints (consider your time, partner’s time, etc.) 2 points

5. Number of each item to maximize profit 4 points

6. Maximum profit per day 1 point

7. Maximum profit per month (30 days in a month) 1 point

8. Analyze your findings – are you happy with your profit? Do you think your

price is reasonable? Does the time needed for minimum for profit feasible?

What changes could you make? Etc. 2 points

Display all of this information neatly on a poster board. You will also need to turn

in your work which can be separate from your poster.

Part 2 2 points

Your group will sell your Peace Coffee items on your designated day either during

lunch or after school (both if you’re ambitious). Make sure you sign-up for a time to

sell your product. Before your day to sell, you will need to advertise your products.

All profits will go to the organization agreed upon by the class.