‘Made in China’ – Online Schools’ Resource Introduces Young People to the World of Logistics

'Made in China' is an online resource, which has been designed to support mathematics and enterprise in the curriculum, using as its context, the process of transporting MP3 players from where they are made, in China, to where they are sold in the UK.  It is free to use and can be found at www.MadeinChinaresources.co.uk

‘Made in China’ introduces students, teachers and careers advisors to the world of logistics, and as a result thousands of young people from across the United Kingdom will be able to learn about the logistics supply chain through their maths lessons and enterprise events.

The resource will be officially launched at the Association of Teachers of Mathematics’ Annual Conference  - ‘Celebrating Gattegno’ at the University of Wolverhampton on the 19th April 2011 to an audience of 250 mathematics teachers.

‘Made in China’ consists of three separate, yet complementary, resources; five maths modules, an enterprise activity and a careers area.  The maths modules can be used separately or as a linked package.  They support the delivery of the mathematics curriculum across all parts of the United Kingdom and cater for students of differing abilities.  They can be used flexibly, either online, or with minimal IT, by using the teacher notes and student answer packs provided within the resource.   

Keith Tilson, Teacher of Mathematics at River Leen School in Nottingham, has used some of the modules with his students and says that the ‘Made in China’ Maths resources, “…are not only helping us to support the introduction of the functional skills aspect of the GCSE syllabus, but they also provide an interesting view into the world of work and the way in which mathematics is used on a day to day basis.”

The enterprise activity, called ‘Logistics in Action,’ is based upon the same MP3 player story.  During this day long enterprise challenge pupils work in teams to tender for the collection, transport and delivery of 90,000 MP3 players.   ‘Logistics in Action’ asks students to form their own logistics companies, take on industry related job roles and try to win a contract from Megastore World Music, to transport MP3 players by air and sea from China to the UK.   During the activity pupils select the most cost-effective routes for their MP3 players and need to manage the variables of cost, time and environmental impact.  

The final aspect of ‘Made in China’ is the careers area.  This vital section of the resource works in tandem with the maths and enterprise curriculum materials by reinforcing positive messages about the industry and by portraying case studies drawn from the sector.  It also signposts young people to the new careers website, Delivering your future, where young people can find further information about the exciting opportunities on offer in logistics.

Dr Mick Jackson, Chief Executive of Skills for Logistics says “Made in China gives pupils a revealing insight into the practicalities and challenges of moving a product which most teenagers take for granted.  Logstics itself is a highly sophisticated, complex and exciting process and we hope that ‘Made in China’ will not only provide a fascinating exercise in itself but might even open up the prospect of a potential career in the sector by some students.”

Theo de Pencier, Chairman of the Trustees said “The UK economy cannot succeed and grow without world class logistics and efficient supply chains that enable products to reach the consumer.  The logistics sector is also one of the biggest employers in the country with over 2.3 million people involved, whether they work for manufacturers, retailers or logistics companies.  An understanding of how supply chains work is vital to young people’s understanding of how the economy works.  ‘Made in China’ makes a big contribution to that end.”