This week I gave my Economics students the opportunity to design and market a donut. The exciting part was that this wasn’t a classroom simulation. I let them participate in Dunkin Donut’s “Create Your Own Donut” contest ( www.dunkindonuts.com ). It is a promotion that provides the winner the prospect of their “creation” being sold at participating stores and of course a $12000.00 grand prize.
It is amazing how excited my students were to involve themselves in the contest. The interactive website let them design and determine the ingredients of their donut online. The best part is they had to provide a name for the donut and a story that compliments it. Creating a story was difficult for them…but they enjoyed the challenge.
The rules state you must be 18 to enter and at least 13 years of age to enter with parental permission. Of course sometimes contests can be fun for teachers too!!!!!! I had fun with my entry!
The contest ends April 7th and the winner will be announced on National Donut Day, June 5th. I had no idea this was a day, but why not? Ha! Ha! This activity can be the type of “spark” that can be useful on a Monday or before/after a break. Contests are fun and relevant!
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Be sure to check out the “website of the week” at www.energizetheclassroom.com .
It details two writing contests!
-Paul Richmond
E.T.C.
