Introduction

FedEx, a global shipping company, is expanding its international operations. Your team of geographers has been retained as consultants to provide a recommendation on the selection of an expansion location. FedEx has five locations that are under consideration. Your team will help narrow the choice to one.

The Task

Your team of geographers will complete the following steps:

• as a team, identify the geographic factors to be considered in choosing a FedEx expansion location;
  
• each individual analyze one of the five proposed locations to determine its suitability for FedEx expansion based on the geographic factors identified by the team;
  
• each individual report findings of their location analysis in team meeting;
  
• make a team decision selecting one location to be recommended;
  
• create maps and graphs necessary to present data;
  
• prepare a written proposal detailing the team findings;
  
• create an oral presentation of the team findings;

Resources

There are a multitude of resources available to your team. You will want to use classroom resources such as textbook, maps, and atlases, in addition to Internet resources. The team will first use the geography resource packet to help identify important geographic factors to be considered. Individual team members will then use the appropriate location information packet when analyzing a specific location.

Geographer's Resource Packet
 

The following locations are under consideration by FedEx:

Location Resource Packet 1

Location Resource Packet 2

Location Resource Packet 3

Location Resource Packet 4

Location Resource Packet 5

The Process

1. As a team, decide on the geographic factors that should be considered when analyzing a location for FedEx expansion. You will want to pick six factors for consideration. You may find the links identified in the Geographer's Resource Packet helpful in choosing your six factors.
   
   
2. Each team member fill in the geographic factors identified by the team on a FedEx Research Organizer. These forms may be provided by your teacher or you may need to print copies for your team. Each team member must use the team's six identified factors when analyzing a specific location. (In other words, everyone must use the same guidelines for judging the suitability of the location.)
   
   
3. Each team member select a different Location Resource Packet. The packets contain links that provide information on a possible expansion location.   You will use the geographic factors identified in your FedEx Research Organizer to analyze your location. Be sure to look at several links to find the most complete information possible. Use your time wisely. When you have completed your research take a few minutes to review your information. You are the expert on your location and will report your findings to the team.
   
   
4. When all team members have completed their research hold a team meeting. Each team member report on their location to the team. Have a brief discussion of the merits and drawbacks of each location. Each team member make note of these points in the team comments section of your FedEx Research Organizer. After all members have reported, the team must decide on one location to recommend for FedEx expansion. Be sure to make note of reasons why the final site is selected.
   
   
5. Utilize the expertise of each team member to prepare a written proposal for FedEx. Include evidence to support your chosen location and visual aids such as maps, climographs, population pyramids, flow charts, etc.
   
   
6. Your team will make an oral presentation of your proposal. Each team member should present a portion of your proposal. You may use multimedia in your presentation.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on the basis of content, mechanics, group work, and presentation.

The Evaluation Rubric provides greater detail.

Conclusion

Congratulations! Your team of geographic consultants has completed your task. You have identified the geographic factors FedEx should consider when choosing an expansion location. You have analyzed the locations proposed by FedEx in terms of the identified factors. You have selected one location for recommendation. Finally, you have presented your findings in writing and in person. What factors carried the most weight in your decision? What changes would your team make before accepting another consulting position? Geographers face challenges such as these every day and regularly make important contributions to local and global organizations.

 Your comments are greatly appreciated.

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Last updated June 25, 1999

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