In this project, students will research a major U.S. commodity such as oil, gas, eggs, coffee, or wheat using FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data). By analyzing at least five years of price data, students will identify the current market equilibrium and two significant shifts in the market. They will then investigate the causes of these changes, considering supply and demand factors such as consumer behavior, production challenges, global events, or policy changes.
Students will present their findings in a Canva presentation, combining economic theory with real-world data. Each presentation will include charts from FRED, explanations of substitutes and complements, classification of the commodity as a normal or inferior good, and an example of how technology might affect future supply. The project will help students see how economic principles like equilibrium, supply, and demand apply to real markets in ways that are both practical and visually engaging.