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Interactive Internet Game Activity
Jesse is ready to open an ice cream stand and wants to sell his ice cream to earn money. An animated dialog between Jesse and his good friend Toki will introduce students to the game. Students must then help Jesse to maximize his profits by evaluating the best possible combinations of price and flavors with each flavor having a different cost and a different reaction to price changes.

Learning Objectives
· Evaluate price and cost alternatives for maximizing profit.
· Discover ways to earn money through small business ownership.
· Understand how demand elasticity can affect profits.

Assessments
Students will: (1) evaluate the best price and flavor combination for maximizing profit, (2) research business opportunities for teens, (3) chart profits with variable price, demand, and cost factors.

Classroom Activities
1. Teen Earner: Wordplace vs Marketplace - An enlightning look at the paradigm of needing a job to earn money. This activity challenges teens to think about marketplace opportunities for earning money. Give each student a copy, have them read it, and then facilitate a discussion.
2. Next Step: Resources for Entrepreneurs - Students utilize the Internet to discover many resources to help them learn to earn money as business owners. Students use these resources to write a mini-business plan that can serve as a stimulus to beginning their own business. Instructors may wish to utilize this activity for oral presentations.
3. Elasticity: Changing Price, Changing Profit - This is an economics-based approach to maximizing profit. Students must determine the best buying/pricing strategy by analyzing the effect on sales and profits when changing prices. Instructor may choose to do this activity in individual or group settings.

Class Discussion Questions
What is profit?
Why is profit important?
What would happen if a business didn't make a profit?
Profits can go up and down. Why?
What impact does price have on demand and profits?
What is meant by "You don't need a job, you need money"?
Why is the marketplace a good place for teens to earn money?
How does operating a business compare to working a part-time job? Do you know what assets, liabilities, and cashflow are?

(Charts and activity sheets continue in the downloadable PDF file above.)