Class Product SC Mapping Activity
Warm-up Activity/ Introduction (5-10 Minutes)
This activity can be done without any prior knowledge of what a supply chain is and is intended to be
introductory in nature.
However, by now you should understand supply chains. For most products a supply chain is
how a product is made, and includes everything from the sourcing of raw materials, to
manufacturing and distribution, and includes all the transportation in between. At a minimum, you
should be able to answer the below questions:
What makes a fashion supply chain unique?
What are some examples of a fashion supply chain?
What is something you buy all the time? Do you know where it is made and how many places it
went before you or your family purchased it?
1. Choosing a Product (2-3 Minutes); Quantity: 100,000, Delivered to Newark, NJ
You will be working on mapping a supply chain and how it operates (with the final consumer delivery to
Newark). You need to get into groups of 3-4. Then, each group should choose a product from a set of
objects that have been pre-selected by Prof Lyons (or the group my choose one of your term research
project items):
Shoes (Nike, Adidas, Converse, Under Armour, Reebok)
An item of clothing (H&M t-shirt, etc.)
2. Identifying the Materials (~5 Minutes)
Once you have selected your item for research, begin to research and fill out the “Identifying the
Materials” worksheet (Appendix A). I have included some helpful research links at the end of the
activity that you can use as a starting point.
After each group has completed the worksheet, they should use the world map (map provided) to
indicate on the map (next to each country) where a raw material for their item came from. On the map,
you should include your product/item, name of the raw material, and what country it came from.
I would like you to spend time researching so you can find all of the information needed without having
to do extensive online research so, please take a look at the pre-select products from the website
sourcemap.com for your initial research (I have provided some sample maps).
1. Drawing the Map (10 Minutes)
Once you have completed the “Identifying the Materials” worksheet, you should begin the
“Mapping the Supply Chain” worksheet (Appendix B).
2. If time permits … conduct transportation carbon analysis for each stage (~10 Minutes)
3. Group Presentations and Discussion (The time remaining)
if time permits, each group will be responsible for a report back on their findings. Each group should
prepare a brief, 2 minute presentation on their supply chain map where they explain the following:
What item did your group choose to study?
What materials did the groups identify?
Where were the materials sourced?
Where was the item manufactured?
What were the three main take-aways for your group?
After the small group presentations are done, we will have an all group discussion about greening
supply chains and what you learned today. The questions below will be used to help guide the
conversation:
Do supply chains change the way you think about these products? If yes or no, why and how?
What surprised you about today’s lesson? Why?
How many different people do you think are engaged in the supply chain of the product that you
chose?
What kind of positive and negative effects do you think a supply chain has on the people involved?
What kind of positive and negative effects do you think a supply chain has on the environment
around the globe?
What are some ways that a supply chain could be shortened? Do you think it should be shortened?
Why or why not?
Can you think of any products whose supply chain is completely within your city (Newark)? What
about your state, or country?
Was it easy to find information about the corporations making your product and their supply
chains? Do you think that it should be?
Resources for Student Research:
Source Map (http://open.sourcemap.com/)
Clean Clothes Campaign (https://cleanclothes.org/)
SweatFree Communities (http://laborrights.org/our-work/sfc)
National Geographic for Teachers Sweatfree Purchasing Consortium
CorpWatch (http://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/ and
http:// laborrights.org/)
Business and Human Rights Resource Centre Maquila Solidarity Network
(http://www.maquilasolidarity.org/en/)
Fashioning an Ethical Industry (http://www.fashioninganethicalindustry.eu/
start.asp?ID=227904&b=1256)
Appendix A
Identifying the Materials
Group Member Names:
Date:
What is your Item:
What are the different raw materials or ingredients that make-up your item?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Now that you have explored the raw materials needed to create your product, write down what
those materials are, and where they come from.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Now, go to the world map at the front of the room (or on the map provided) and place a sticky
note next to the countries where your different raw materials come from. On your sticky note
write:
1. The name of your finished product (include company name if you have the information).
2. The name of the raw material.
Appendix B
Mapping the Supply Chain
CONNECT THE INGREDIENTS TO THE MANUFACTURERS. LABEL HOW THEY GET THERE.
CONNECT THE MANUFACTURERS TO THE DISTRIBUTORS. LABEL HOW THEY GET THERE.
CONNECT THE DISTRIBUTOR TO THE RETAILER. LABEL HOW THE PRODUCT GOT THERE.
Final Price (estimate):$_____________