Where does our clothing come from? Visit to CBI

Activity Introduction

The students are welcomed in a room by one of the company’s managers. Using the previously produced video as support, the company representative provides context about the business activity, focusing on the production of a coat—from raw materials to manufacturing and finishing, waste management and safety, and the influence of other countries on the production and development of clothing items.

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The class is divided into 2 large groups (about 12 students each):

1. Group A – Exploration of various raw materials and application of garment pieces

2. Group B – Visit to stages of the production process

Activity Development

Group A

The production manager presents the various raw materials used in the company, explaining their origin (petroleum, sheep wool, cotton plant, countries where they are produced). All students can observe and touch the raw materials. The production manager also discusses the influences of other countries and cultures on fashion, contrasting them with the past and technological evolution in manufacturing processes. Questions are posed such as:

• Do you think it’s important to gather people’s (customers’) opinions about the pieces we produce? Why?

• Is this opinion important to be able to sell (export) abroad? Explain your opinion.

• Do you think it’s important to present the models we develop at international fairs? Why?

• What influence might these events have on our production?

Using the document camera connected to the projector, a small group of students is asked to match various raw materials on the table to their respective names.

On a clothesline (rope), a student is asked to hang the numbers 0 and 1 with clothespins, at a distance of 1 meter, measured with a tape measure. Then, another student is asked to hang a sock with a clothespin showing ½ at the correct spot on the clothesline, pointing out that it represents the distance between 0 and ½. The procedure is repeated with a clothespin showing ¼.

Next, the production manager demonstrates the application of some garment pieces (for example, a shoulder pad).

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Group B

The students move to the production line, guided by an employee and following the rules and circulation guidelines. They then visit the various stages of the line, observing what happens at each one and receiving information from the employees.

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During the visit to the Pattern-Making area, the students observe the placement of garment design patterns on a 2D computer layout, aiming to maximize fabric usage and thus avoid unnecessary waste. They also observe the mold printing area and how the patterns are transferred to the production line, which involves cutting.

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After Group B completes their visit, the groups switch places.

Whole class

After Group B returns to the raw materials exploration room, with the class reunited, the CBI visit is reviewed by discussing sustainability-related questions such as:

• What kinds of waste result from the company’s activity?

• What happens to the waste?

• At which stages of the production process is water consumed?

The production manager discusses the cultural and international influences in the creation of each type and pattern of fabric.

Conclusion of the activity

With the whole class gathered, a systematization activity is conducted to reinforce some concepts through examples related to clothing, using support materials, a document camera connected to a projector, and one Plickers card per student (https://get.plickers.com/). Students are questioned about some of the topics covered during the visit, and the aggregated results of their answers are analyzed.

Students receive a certificate of attendance awarded by the company.

To conclude this activity, samples of raw materials are given to each class to continue the activity in the classroom, producing a postcard with male or female figures and collages of these elements, sending one of the postcards to CBI as a thank-you for the hospitality provided.

  The   Postais Oliva:

Extension Activities

After the visit, topics related to financial education are explored. As a suggestion, a problem is presented in the student guide that can be adapted to specific needs.

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