Project: Marketing and Innovation

Foundations of Technology
Nature of Technology: Characteristics and Scope of Technology

There is no better way to explore the process of innovation and the market forces that drive it, than by applying the concept. In this project, you will first investigate a need or want by developing a survey related to a common problem. Survey your family, friends, siblings, classmates, or others are appropriate groups. The results of your survey will determine the market force (demand) driving your innovation. After identifying a problem or need based on your survey, you will then innovate a common household item and create a prototype that will address the problem your survey identified.

The example below is of a brief video advertisement for an innovative product that meets the demands of the market. The video does include some "potty humor" and so if a discussion on digestive gas is offensive, please skip the example below.

The Best Invention Ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfWwtGQ2Uhk

Project Guidelines: Marketing and Innovation (24 points)

Develop a survey to investigate an everyday problem. Use your survey to gather information and identify the market forces that will drive your innovation. Innovate a common household item to solve the problem you identified and address the market forces evident in your survey. Each student will:

Create a survey of 3 questions or more that investigate a common problem. Use word processing software to record your survey questions. (5 points)
Conduct your survey with at least four (4) people. Use word processing or spreadsheet software to represent your results in a clear and informative manner, using a graph, table, or other illustration. (5 points)
Determine an innovation to a common household product that will help meet the demands identified by the survey results.
Create a prototype to show your innovation. Your prototype can be a model or detailed diagram. Use a digital camera to photograph or film your prototype for inclusion in your presentation. (10 points)
Describe how your innovation meets the demands identified in your market research. Your explanation should be brief, 50 words or less. (4 points)

Combine your survey, survey results, prototype images or video and explanation into one file. You may submit the entire project as a Power Point Presentation, Word Document or Excel Spread Sheet. Submit your finished project to the Marketing and Innovation Dropbox before the due date listed on the course calendar.

Example: Click here (to be added) for a student created example of this activity.

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