Lesson 1 - Shipping changed the world

The ‘steel boxes’ that are shipping containers have become an integral part of the distribution of goods around the world. Without this method of transportation, many of the items you have in your homes may not have been so readily available.   

Task 1

• View the YouTube clip 'How a steel box changed the world: A brief history of shipping'.   

Task 2 

• Read the article: Today’s global economy runs on standardized shipping containers as Ever Given fiasco illustrates. 

Task 3

Complete a 3-way summary after viewing the clip and reading the article:  

• write a 10 – 15 word summary outlining what the video and article taught you about shipping and trade  

• write a 30 – 50 word summary outlining what the video and article taught you about shipping and trade  

• write a 75 – 100 word summary outlining what the video and article taught you about shipping and trade.  

You may not have realised how many of the goods around your home have come from international origins. 

Task 1

• Conduct an audit of goods in your home. 

• Identify where each product was made and decide if it was likely to have been transported by container ship. You may wish to conduct some research to support your response. 

Task 2 

• Complete the summary table to illustrate your findings.

Select the icon to open Labelled world map of countries in Google docs. Then select 'Use Template' to create a copy for yourself.

Select the icon to open the Labelled world map of countries worksheet (docx 293KB). It will automatically download to your computer.