Formula Showdown Slides Formula to Fortune • Checkpoint 1
Consumer Science Lab
Empirical Testing • Product Chemistry
Formula Showdown
Does higher cost equal better cleaning power? Today we test three distinct surface cleaners in a controlled laboratory trial before analyzing their market value.
Controlled Variables
Efficacy & pH Testing
Quantitative Lab Data
The Contenders
Three Cleaner Formulations
Lab Samples A, B, & C
Sample A
Alpha Clean Pro
Leading national brand with synthetic surfactants and artificial fragrances.
Active Agent: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Retail Focus: Heavy Duty Power
Sample B
Eco-Venture Pure
Commercial plant-based organic formula certified biodegradable.
Active Agent: Alkyl Polyglucoside
Retail Focus: Non-Toxic & Green
Sample C
Citrus DIY Blend
In-house laboratory blend of distilled white vinegar, citrus peel, and Castile soap.
Active Agent: Acetic Acid + Saponins
Retail Focus: Low-Cost Homemade
Key Investigation Question: Does marketing hype and brand reputation align with lab performance?
Scientific Rigor
Standardized Testing Protocol
Fair-Test Variables
Standardized Soil Soil-Plate
Exactly 1.0 mL of standardized simulated grease (mineral oil + cocoa powder mix) spread evenly across 10 cm × 10 cm ceramic tiles.
Controlled Dwell Time
Apply exactly 5 spray-triggers (or 5.0 mL) per test tile. Allow solution to emulsify grease for exactly 60 seconds.
Fixed Friction & Wipe Count
Use a standardized 200g lab wipe block wrapped in micro-cellulose cloth. Perform 3 single passes across the soiled strip.
Triplicate Replication
Each student team executes 3 independent trials per formula to calculate a reliable mathematical average.
Safety First: Chemical splash goggles required. Avoid skin and eye contact. Handle pH test strips with clean forceps.
Measurement & Quantification
Efficacy Rating Scale
0 to 10 Scale
Grease Removal Index (GRI)
Visual and mass residue estimation after 3 standardized passes:
9 - 10 Complete breakdown; 0% sticky residue left
6 - 8 Moderate removal; slight oily haze remains
1 - 5 Poor dispersion; heavy smears and residue
pH & Material Safety
Measuring surface corrosion risk and human biocompatibility:
pH 6.5 - 7.5 Neutral; safe for marble, stone, and skin
pH 3.0 - 5.0 Acidic; cuts scale, can etch limestone
pH 9.0 - 11.5 Basic/Alkaline; saponifies fats, irritant
Record every raw measurement on your Formula Testing Lab Sheet before cleaning up your station.
Lab Execution
Checkpoint 1 Deliverables
Session 1 Targets
1. Formulate Hypothesis
Predict which formula will offer the highest grease removal and state your chemical rationale.
2. Run 9 Total Trials
Execute 3 complete replication cycles per formula and log raw GRI and pH readings.
3. Compute Averages
Calculate the composite Mean Efficacy Score to carry forward into our financial unit-cost analysis.
Next Lesson: Taking our lab data into the grocery aisle to calculate unit rates and price per clean!
Checkpoint 1
Formula Testing Lab Sheet Formula to Fortune • Science Lab Module
Formula Testing Lab Sheet
Checkpoint 1: Quantitative Chemical Efficacy & Controlled Trials
Name:
Date: Per:
Lab Station:
1. Investigation Hypothesis & Variables
Formulate a testable prediction comparing Formula A (Alpha Clean Pro), Formula B (Eco-Venture Pure), and Formula C (Citrus DIY).
Hypothesis Statement:
If the three formulations are applied to identical grease soils, then Formula will achieve the highest Grease Removal Index because:
Independent Variable: Cleaner formulation chemistry (A vs B vs C)
Dependent Variable: Grease removal score (GRI) & pH
Controlled Factors: Soil mass (1 mL), dwell time (60s), passes (3)
2. Standardized Lab Procedure & Safety Check
Goggles Required
Step 1: Soil
Pipette 1.0 mL standardized oil soil to tile center. Spread to 5cm circle.
Step 2: Dwell
Apply 5 spray pumps (5 mL) of cleaner. Start timer for exactly 60 sec.
Step 3: Wipe
Pull 200g wipe sled smoothly across tile 3 consecutive times.
Step 4: Quantify
Score residual soil on 0-10 GRI scale. Record in triplicate.
3. Experiment 1: Grease Removal Assay (Triplicate Trials)
Grease Removal Index: 0 (No effect) to 10 (100% clean)
Test Formulation Trial 1 (GRI) Trial 2 (GRI) Trial 3 (GRI) Mean GRI Key Qualitative Observations Sample A: Alpha Clean
Commercial Synthetic
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Sample B: Eco-Venture
Commercial Plant-Based
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Sample C: Citrus DIY
Lab Vinegar + Castile
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Formula to Fortune • Lesson 1: Formula Showdown Page 1 of 2 • Turn over for pH testing and Composite Efficacy scoring
Chemical Safety, Material Compatibility & Synthesis
Student Data Record
4. Experiment 2: pH & Surface Safety Assay
Scale: 1 (Strong Acid) - 7 (Neutral) - 14 (Strong Base)
Cost per Clean Slides Formula to Fortune • Checkpoint 2
Consumer Financial Economics
Unit Rates • Price per Clean • The Value Index
Cost per Clean
A low sticker price does not mean a product is cheap, and a high price does not guarantee superior value. Today we unmask the real numbers behind consumer cleaning products.
Unit Rate (\$/fl oz)
Cost per Application
Efficiency & Value Ratio
Financial Tool 1
Cracking the Unit Rate
Standardizing Volume
The Unit Rate Formula
Unit Rate = Total Retail Price ÷ Total Fluid Ounces
Expressed as Dollars per Fluid Ounce ($/fl oz)
Comparing a 16 oz spray bottle at $4.49 to a 64 oz refill jug at $11.99 by sticker price alone is misleading. Standardizing to unit cost reveals the true price.
Alpha Clean (16 fl oz) $4.48 Sticker
$4.48 ÷ 16 oz = $0.28 per fl oz
Alpha Clean Refill (64 fl oz) $10.24 Sticker
$10.24 ÷ 64 oz = $0.16 per fl oz
Buying bulk cuts unit cost by over 42%! But what if you cannot afford the upfront cash?
Consumer Insight: Manufacturers often charge premium markups for smaller, convenience packaging.
Financial Tool 2
Cost per Cleaning Application
Dosage & Dilution
Standard Dosage
Each standard kitchen counter clean uses 5 trigger sprays, equaling 0.50 fl oz of liquid.
Cost/Clean = Unit Rate × 0.50 oz
Bottle Yield
A standard 32 fl oz bottle provides exactly 64 full cleanings before replacement is required.
Yield = Total Oz ÷ 0.50 oz
DIY Compounding
Citrus DIY is made from bulk raw vinegar ($0.04/oz) and bulk Castile soap, yielding dramatic savings per clean.
DIY Clean = Under $0.03!
Over one year (365 cleans), a difference of $0.15 per clean equals $54.75 in household savings on a single cleaning product!
Synthesis Metric
The Scientific Value Index
Performance vs. Price
Defining "True Value"
In engineering economics, value is not just the lowest price. It is the amount of scientific performance delivered per dollar spent.
The Value Formula
Value Index = CES Score ÷ Cost per Clean ($)
Higher index number = More cleaning power per penny invested!
The Decision Matrix
Alpha Clean Pro High CES • High Cost → Moderate Value
Consumer Value Worksheet Formula to Fortune • Financial Economics Module
Consumer Value Worksheet
Checkpoint 2: Unit Rates, Packaging Psychology & Cost per Clean
Name:
Date: Per:
Team Name:
Key Financial Formulas Always round monetary amounts to the nearest whole cent ($0.01).
Unit Rate = Retail Price ÷ Net Fluid Oz Cost per Clean = Unit Rate × 0.50 oz
Part A: Retail Unit Rate Calculations
Show setup and division for each product
Product & Packaging Size Retail Price Net Volume Math Setup (Price ÷ Oz) Unit Rate ($/oz) Alpha Clean Spray Bottle
Retail Trigger Pack
| $4.32 | 24 fl oz | $4.32 ÷ 24 = | |
|
Alpha Clean Bulk Refill
Economy Jug (No Trigger)
| $8.96 | 64 fl oz | $8.96 ÷ 64 = | |
|
Eco-Venture Pure Spray
Organic Plant-Based Spray
| $6.72 | 28 fl oz | $6.72 ÷ 28 = | |
|
Citrus DIY Home Formula
Bulk Vinegar + Castile Blend
| $1.28 | 32 fl oz | $1.28 ÷ 32 = | |
Part B: Application Yield & Annual Cost Projection
Standard counter clean = 0.50 fl oz per use
Product Total Cleans per Bottle (Net Oz ÷ 0.50) Cost per Clean (Unit Rate × 0.50) Annual Cost (300 Cleans/Year) Alpha Clean (24 oz Spray) Alpha Clean (64 oz Refill) Eco-Venture Pure (28 oz) Citrus DIY Blend (32 oz)
Formula to Fortune • Lesson 2: Cost per Clean Page 1 of 2 • Continue to Page 2 for the Scientific Value Index
Multi-Factor Value Index & Consumer Analysis
Synthesis of Lab & Cost Data
Part C: The Scientific Value Index Matrix
Value Index = CES Score ÷ Cost per Clean ($)
Transfer your team's Composite Scientific Efficacy Score (CES) from Lesson 1 and your calculated Cost per Clean from Part B. Compute the Value Index (higher score indicates superior cost-efficiency).
Startup Budget Project Guide Formula to Fortune • Entrepreneurship & Budgeting
Startup Budget Project Guide
Checkpoint 3: Capital Allocation, Fixed vs. Variable Costs & COGS
Venture Name:
Founders:
Target Batch: 100 Bottles (16 oz ea)
The $500 Seed Grant Challenge
Total Capital: $500.00 Max
Your venture studio has secured a $500 grant to produce an initial production batch of 100 bottles (16 fl oz each = 1,600 fl oz total) of your chosen formula. You must categorize expenses into fixed vs. variable, budget accurately, and leave a contingency buffer.
Fixed Costs (One-Time Setup)
Expenses that remain constant regardless of how many bottles you brew (e.g., mixing equipment, digital scales, safety goggles, testing kits).
Variable Costs (Per-Unit Costs)
Expenses that scale directly with production volume (e.g., spray bottles, trigger caps, raw active ingredients, vinyl labels, packaging boxes).
Production Procurement Catalog
Choose equipment & ingredient packages for 100 bottles
Category Option Description & Specifications Cost Type Catalog Price Mixing Vessel Option 1A: Standard 5-Gal Food-Grade Bucket & Manual PaddleOption 1B: Pro 15-Gal Graduated Stainless Drum with Drain ValveFixed Fixed $32.00 $95.00 Measurement Lab Option 2A: Basic Balance + 100 pH Test StripsOption 2B: Precision 0.01g Digital Scale + Digital pH MeterFixed Fixed $28.00 $65.00 16 oz Spray Bottles Option 3A: Standard PET Plastic Bottles + Trigger Sprayers (Pack of 100)Option 3B: 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Amber Bottles (Pack of 100)Variable Variable $88.00 $135.00
Project Evaluation Rubric Formula to Fortune • Master Assessment
Project Evaluation Rubric
Holistic Scoring Guide • Science Investigation, Financial Literacy & Budgeting
Student / Team:
Evaluator:
Date: Per:
Evaluation Criteria Exemplary (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Beginning (1) 1. Scientific Inquiry & Data
Controlled variables, triplicate trials, pH & CES accuracy
| All 9 trials complete; controlled variables maintained; pH and CES math flawless; insightful error reflection. | All trials logged; variables controlled; minor calculation error in CES; solid observation notes. | Incomplete trials (1-2 missing); inconsistent variable control; CES formula misapplied. | Uncontrolled testing; missing replication data; qualitative notes absent. |
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2. Consumer Math & Unit Rates
Price/oz, cost per clean, Value Index ratio
| All 4 unit rates exact; bottle yields and 300-clean annual costs correct; Value Index synthesis insightful. | Unit rates correctly computed with minor rounding slip; Cost per clean and Value Index calculated. | Calculation errors in 2+ unit rates; confused sticker price with unit cost; incomplete index. | Major mathematical errors; unable to compute price per ounce or yield. |
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3. Budgeting & Allocation
$500 limit, fixed vs variable, COGS per unit
| Total ≤$500 with prudent reserve buffer; perfect fixed/variable taxonomy; accurate COGS and profit margin. | Total under $500; correct categorization; COGS calculated; positive cash reserve retained. | Budget exceeds $500 or omits critical supplies; confused fixed vs variable; zero reserve left. | Unrealistic budget; arithmetic failures; missing items necessary for 100 bottles. |
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4. Strategic Justification
Needs vs wants, CER reasoning, commercial pitch
| Compelling defense using empirical lab data and financial ROI; articulate needs vs wants trade-off rationale. | Clear rationale supported by data; reasonable explanation of packaging trade-offs. | Superficial justification; relies on opinion rather than lab or unit rate evidence. | No justification provided; unable to defend choices or explain cost trade-offs. |
Peer Venture Review Reviewer: ____________
One financial or scientific strength of this startup plan:
One budget risk or optimization suggestion:
Team Self-Audit Checklist Sign: ____________
All 3 checkpoint worksheets completed & attached
