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These are the best new articles, videos, podcasts, and other resources we have found to teach supply, demand, and equilibrium. They bring economics to life by showing students real-life examples and current events.
 

News Articles

(Listed from most recent to oldest)

Cyber Monday was the biggest US online shopping day ever | CNN Business (Dec. 3, 2024)
When the price decreases, quantity demanded increases! U.S. consumers spent $13.3 billion on Cyber Monday, and a whopping total of $41.1 billion in the 5 days spanning Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, attracted by retailer discounts. Demand for electronics was especially high, as consumers anticipate higher prices should Trump impose the higher tariffs he has threatened.

Thanksgiving box office showdown shows importance of premium screens | CNBC (Nov. 1, 2024)
Movie theaters are getting a lesson in the Alchian-Allen effect– if you consider leaving your comfy couch a fixed cost. Theater goers want a premium experience, and are willing to pay the additional ticket price, and in some cases, wait longer to see the show.

You may not need that student loan after all. Here's the latest college tuition trend. | USA Today (Oct. 30, 2024)
College tuition rose less than inflation, and factoring increased student aid, net student tuition costs have declined by 40% over the last decade, as fewer students enroll in colleges.

Halloween could taste different this year thanks to soaring cocoa prices | CNN Business (Oct. 20, 2024)
Halloween candy is a great microcosm in which to discuss a host of economic phenomena-a supply shift, a change in the price of a related good, and changing tastes and preferences.

Helene spurs IV fluid shortage. Milton could make it worse | The Hill (Oct. 9, 2024)
One NC-based manufacturer supplied 60% of US IV supplies until Hurricane Helene damaged the facility. But increasing capacity at other manufacturing locations has proved to be a challenge as yet another IV fluid manufacturing facility lies in the path of Hurricane Milton. Talk about a supply shock.

Companies are crafting new ways to grow cocoa, and chocolate alternatives, to keep up with demand | AP News (Sept. 1, 2024)
Get ready to try lab-grown cocoa. Soaring prices for cocoa beans, as well as environmental and labor concerns, have driven suppliers to seek alternatives to West African cocoa.

Mini farm animals are adorable. There's also a growing demand for them | AP News (Aug. 12, 2024)
Mini goat breeders are staying on top of shifting consumer preferences by increasing supply of the popular animals by 73% this past year!

Inflation comes for your oysters | CNN Business (Aug. 11, 2024)
Don’t let the title mislead you. The 250% increase in oyster prices is a classic tale of supply and demand shifts.

Paris Olympics target tourists with metro fares gone wild | SF Gate (July 22, 2024)
The Paris Olympics organizing committee wanted free metro fares for Olympic spectators. But there’s no such thing as a free metro ride

Supply, Demand, and Equilibrium: Delta says the Olympics will cost it $100 million as travelers skip Paris ⎜NBC News (July 11, 2024)
An unanticipated demand shift from the Paris Olympics–decreased demand for flights to and from Paris as tourists seek to avoid the crowds and soaring hotel prices. French travelers also appear to be postponing summer travel plans or rerouting to avoid the capital. Post-games, demand is expected to rebound.

Diaper change: Japan’s aging society is transforming the baby care business. | CNN Business (July 5, 2024)
Japanese diaper manufacturer Oji Holdings is responding to a textbook population shift in demand by ending its domestic baby diaper sales to focus on adult diapers.

Starbucks is suddenly discounting coffee left and right to win back inflation-weary consumers | Quartz (June 21, 2024)
Even Starbucks is bound by the law of demand.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rematch poised to be most expensive WNBA game ever | CNN Business (June 20, 2024)
Blame a demand shift if $250-$9,000 tickets have you priced out of the next Fever v. Sky rematch.

Orange juice crisis prompts search for alternative fruits | Financial Times (May 29, 2024)
The orange juice of the future may be made with mandarins. In the meantime, OJ futures are at an all time high due to supply hits from citrus greening. Teachers can get free access to the Financial Times by registering here.

AstraZeneca is pulling its COVID-19 vaccine | Quartz (May 8, 2024)
AstraZeneca is exiting the COVID-19 vaccine market, a perfect opportunity to ask your students to predict what will happen to the price and availability of COVID vaccines. Also a good segue into economies of scale and shutdown costs.

Hotel prices soar as tourists flock to see solar eclipse | CBS News (April 6, 2024)
The eclipse shifted demand to the right for hotels along the path of totality. The result? Raised hotel prices and occupancy rates precisely as predicted by a supply and demand graph.

Egg prices are rising again. An outbreak of bird flu could make things worse | CNN Business (April 3, 2024)
Get ready for COVID-19 flashbacks as egg prices are rising again.

The chocolate crisis is here | Morning Brew (March 17, 2024)
Chocolate prices increased 25% on March 15, compared to a week before, and are up 2015% since last year. That’s due to a combination of supply hits due to weather and lack of investment, as well as tripled global demand.

Natural gas prices plunge as US set for warmest winter on record | Financial Times (Feb. 18, 2024)
Natural gas prices have fallen 50% since mid-January to a 3-decade low as supply is up and demand is down. Teachers can get free access to the Financial Times by registering here.

'It's definitely backfiring': Seattle ordinance intended to help app delivery workers is 'hurting' them | King5 (Feb. 5, 2024)
Seattle’s new ordinance, intended to boost wages for gig workers, is the latest example of unintended consequences. The new $5 fee is discouraging orders, leaving less work for gig workers.

Inside the Stanley tumbler collector economy  | Marketplace (Jan. 12, 2024)
A simple demand shift explains why used Stanley tumblers are selling on resale sites for hundreds of dollars.

Confectioners eye holiday boost as UK shoppers snub expensive gifts | Reuters (Dec. 11, 2023)
Looking for a fresh example of an income shift? Purchase data in Britain suggests that holiday chocolates are an inferior good.

The Psyche 16 Asteroid Isn't Worth $10,000,000,000,000,000,000 | Jadrian Wooten (Nov. 13, 2023)
An asteroid that is a metal treasure chest contains enough supply to drastically change metal prices on earth. For any skeptical students, refer to the comparison with the influx of gold and silver in 16th-century Spain.

Lionel Messi joins the MLS, single-game ticket prices surge | CNBC (Aug. 20, 2023)
Lionel Messi had driven up demand for MLS tickets by 1,700%. Now that’s a demand shift!

Inflation has reached the North Pole as a Santa shortage looms | NPR (December 13, 2022)
The demand for Santa is higher in 2022 compared to before Covid-19. There is a shortage of Santas. What are the reasons? Is there a solution?
 

 Getting Graphic

Shifts in Supply or Demand Interactive Practice (3 Sets) | MRU
Three variations of this interactive will provide your students with plenty of opportunities to test their knowledge on whether an event causes a shift in the demand curve or a shift in the supply curve.

Finding Equilibrium: Shifting Both Curves Interactive Practice | MRU

Change in Supply vs. Change in Quantity Supplied Interactive Practice | MRU

Change in Demand vs. Change in Quantity Demanded Interactive Practice | MRU

Valentine’s Day Edition: Change in Demand vs. Change in Quantity Demanded Interactive Practice | MRU

Holiday Edition: Shift in Supply or Demand Interactive Practice | MRU

Videos

Change in Demand vs. Change in Quantity Demanded | MRU
Cement the distinction between a change in demand and a change in quantity demanded in this quick (and somewhat silly) video! Note - this video is not designed to teach the concepts quantity demanded and demand, but rather it’s just meant to highlight the difference between the two terms.
Resource: Interactive Practice

The Demand Curve | MRU
Using the classic example of the demand for oil, students will be introduced to the concept of demand, how it’s graphed, and why people might choose a substitute good if the price gets too high.
Resource: Worksheet

The Supply Curve | MRU
Continuing with the example of oil, this video will show your students the relationship between price and the quantity supplied. They’ll also see the basics of graphing a supply curve.
Resource: Worksheet

The Demand Curve Shifts | MRU
What causes the demand curve to shift?

The Supply Curve Shifts | MRU
What causes the supply curve to shift?

Podcasts

Tik Tok made me buy it | The Indicator
Can you say demand curve shifter?

Additional Resources

Supply, Demand, and Equilibrium Unit | MRU
Our updated supply and demand unit plan gives you 7 days of lesson plans chock-full of interactives, videos, news articles and more.

Supply and Demand Simulation Game | MRU
Simulate supply and demand in a market by playing cards.

Supply, Demand, and Equilibrium Assessment Questions | MRU

Law of Supply and Demand Cheat-Sheet | MRU
A really useful cheat-sheet to offer to your students.

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