As we all know, the theory of production can be applied to any production process, regardless of whether the output is sold in the market.  For instance, many of us use the production function for course performance to study economics education.  Using a noncommercial example to present the theory of production for the first time to students have many benefits: 1) students see how economics apply to their daily lives, and 2) students see how rules of production are independent of input costs. By far the most popular example I use in my class of noncommercial production is the production function for romantic partners. Since many of my students are usually engage in that production as they take my course, they can immediately identify with the case study.  So, here is a question I use to spark the discussion. Which of the following is the most Fixed input of in your production of romantic partners? a)    your chiseled abs b)    your cool haircut c)    your nice dancing skills d)    your pick-up line The idea here is for students to see that these inputs move from more fixed (abs) to more variable (pick-up line).  But, the point is not necessarily for students to identify the “best” answer, but more to see how production works and applies to their daily life.  I usually present this as a clicker question at the beginning of the class; let students vote once, and then allow them to think-pair-share and the vote again.  If I had assigned the question before class (as one could do using a system like FlipItecon.com), I could show some sample answers from students.  This allow the instructor to get the most of out of the classroom activity. Here are some of the best I have received from students over the years. For (a): “You can change the other things pretty quickly but you have to build abs over time.” For (c): “dancing skills take long to develop”. For (d): “my abs may fade, my hair may fall out, my body may become crippled, but i can always use my wit!” This student is clearly mixing the definition of a fixed input, so this wrong answer presents an excellent teaching moment for me. And, perhaps the best one of all: “You've got the curves to supply my demand.” I encourage you to use this, or any example that allow students to see how relevant economics is to their daily lives.   ... View more

The Great Inflation: A Historical Overview and Lessons Learned This history and data lesson from the Fed includes questions for students. ... View more

Tennis ball production (demonstration) Students 'produce' tennis balls by moving them between buckets. Resulting production data is used to calculate total, marginal and average production and costs. This is a good demonstration for large classes because the physical nature of the activity is easily observed by others.   ... View more

Teaching Bank Runs with Classroom Experiments Journal of Economic Education 42(3) 2011 (experiment) Students act as depositers who must decide when to withdraw their funds. Article provides information for both a computerized and noncomputerized version. ... View more

Tax Man Max (song and video) Schoolhouse Rock introduces taxes, including different tax bases and deductions. ... View more

Tax game (simulation) Students determine tax rates and analyze resulting income distribution. Requires internet access. [inequality, tax structure] With larger classes, can be used as an interactive lecture demonstration, or have students complete the simulation before class.   ... View more

Sugar tariff (context-rich problem) Students analyze the impact of phasing out a tax on sugar imports. Can have students complete individually, with think-pair-share or small groups. In larger classes, student responses can be collected using clickers. ... View more

Statistical discrimination (experiment) Web-based game with students acting as employers and workers. Can also be done manually without internet access   ... View more

Spent is a free online game about surviving poverty and homelessness created by ad agency McKinney for pro bono client Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD), whose mission "is to provide food, clothing, shelter and supportive services to neighbors in need". [1]  Players must make the difficult decisions necessary to live for one month on $1,000, often having to choose between equally disagreeable options. The dilemmas they face represent those that bring people to places like UMD: Do you make a healthy meal or keep the lights on? Cover the minimum on your credit cards or pay the rent? Hope your sick daughter gets better on her own or risk your job by leaving early to take her to the doctor? Let your son play in the after-school sports league or save the money needed for his uniform? The game ends when players either run out of money before the end of the month or make it through with money left over. Since its launch in February 2011, the interactive game SPENT has been played more than 4 million times in over 218 countries. [2] SPENT  ... View more

Spending Strings (demonstration) Using spending and output cards, instructor can show students how various policies affect equilibrium, unemployment and inflation. Can have students predict outcomes first; predictions could be collected using clickers.   ... View more

Snow removal price ceiling (context-rich problem) Students analyze a proposal to cap the price of snow removal services. Can have students complete individually, with think-pair-share or small groups. In larger classes, student responses can be collected using clickers. ... View more

Simple macroeconomy (experiment) Acting as either workers or firms, students make decisions about labor supply and production, then observe resulting impact on wages, employment and output. For larger classes, students can work in groups.   ... View more

Sandwich shop pricing (context-rich problem) Students consider how to raise revenue for a small family business ... View more

Sales tax increase (context-rich problem) Students analyze a proposal to increase a city sales tax. Can have students complete individually, with think-pair-share or small groups. In larger classes, student responses can be collected using clickers. Also, please see Double-oral Auction Activity​. ... View more

Running a car wash Students decide the profit-maximizing level of production for a family business and must analyze shutdown conditions for different prices. Can have students complete individually, with think-pair-share or small groups, either before class or in class. In larger classes, student responses can be collected using clickers. Also similar: Selling CSA subscriptions ... View more