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YOUR MISSION!
Making and flying kites was a popular hobby in the late
1800's. As a youngster, Orville decided he
wanted to sell kites. Wilbur explained to Orville, he
would have to make his kites different and grander than anyone
else's. Otherwise, people could make the same
kite themselves and they wouldn't need to purchase one
from Orville. Orville did just that!
Wilbur and Orville Wright were young entrepreneurs
(individuals that establish and manage a business) and
earned money on their own.
Even as boys they developed skills that would help them later in
life as businessmen.
In this activity, you and your classmates will develop
a small business plan to operate a kite factory. In this
plan you will include the following information:
A description of your company's kite including
what makes this kite unique.
A graphic of the kite (a photograph or drawing).
A list of the materials needed to design
and construct the kite, including any tools.
A plan for manufacturing your kite.
The price at which you will sell the kites.
A strategy to sell the kites?
How will you sell your kites? In a store? Through a web site?
STEPS TO FOLLOW:
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You and your classmates should decide
who will be responsible for the development
of each part of your business plan. Will one
person write the plan with input from the class
or will specific people be responsible for the
development and writing of different parts of the plan?
Will the whole group "brainstorm" or
smaller teams formed to work on different
aspects of the plan?
Define and write down each individual's
role and responsibilities.
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If your class has constructed several "Out of Sight"
Kites, perhaps your team can base your
kite design on one of these. Write a
description of your kite. Include features
which make your kite unique. For example:
is the kite an unusual or novel shape, is the material
or construction high quality, is
the price of the kite low or is it easy to fly?
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Provide at least two graphics of your kite.
One graphic should be a drawing of the proposed
kite in action or photograph of the actual kite in action.
The other graphic should be a simple blueprint or
engineering drawing of the kite.
Engineering Drawing
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MATERIALS:
- Paper
- Pencils
- To Make Presentations: Materials Such As Poster Board and Markers,
Chalk and Blackboard,
Overhead Projector and Transparencies or Computer, Projection
System and Screen
- Optional: For Making Kites See Materials List For "Out Of Site" Kites
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Develop a list of the materials needed to design
and construct the kite, including any tools. The
list of materials should be as specific as possible
noting any specific brand name, fabric type, colors,
and quantities. Note the cost of each item. For example:
2 1/8 yard Royal brand cotton fabric in periwinkle blue $3.20/yard
25 yards of Hi-Fly brand kite string $3.00
You and your team should construct a kite
to determine the materials and any tools needed.
Are there ways that you can get a discount on the
materials to construct the kites if you purchase more
materials. Is there a way to cut the sail material of the
kite to waste less fabric (or paper)?
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How will you construct (build) or
manufacture your kites. Will you have an
assembly line where each person has a
specific task in the construction of the kite?
Or will different individuals construct an entire kite by themselves.
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At what price will the company sell the kites?
Take the cost of the materials and tools, the labor
involved in making, marketing and selling the kites
and any other expenses. Divide this
by the number of kites you will make. This number
gives you an idea of the minimum price you can sell the
kites to recover your cost. (Keep in mind not
all of the kites will sell, or some may be returned for defects.)
Look at the price of other kites. At what prices are other
companies selling their kites?
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To whom will you sell your kites? For example,
will you sell the kites to individuals for their
own use or will you sell them to a vendor
(like a kite or toy store) who will in turn resell
the kites to the public.
Where will you sell your kites? For example,
will you sell them door-to-door, via the Internet,
at a stand at a kite festival, or through a catalog?
Perhaps your new company will have its own retail store.
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Are there other markets and types of customers (consumers)
who may use kites?
Certainly, kites are used as a heavier-than-air flying
machine, both as a recreational toy and in competition.
For example, a store which sells educational materials,
teaching supplies or a science or aviation museum's gift shop
might be interested in selling your kites as an aid to teach
children about flight. Some businesses give away pens or
calendars as gifts to their clients. Maybe you could customize
your kites with business names and logos for other companies
to give away as gifts.
The
background science section of this lesson discusses some
of the early uses of kites. Kites have been used as art,
in ceremonies and in fishing. Does this section provide
additional ideas for potential consumers for your company's kites?
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Present your plan to your classmates and compare your plan to
that of your classmates.
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