Freshman Accounting I students went mining last week for chocolate chips in hopes of making a profit!
As an introduction to Income Statements, students had to purchase their mine claims (cookies--up to 4), the tools needed to mine the chips (paperclips and toothpicks), and the time need for mining and reclamation (any crumbs outside of the original mine site were charged a clean-up fee). These were all of their expenses. The chocolate chips provided the revenue.
When all the dust--or crumbs--settled, all of our miners were able to walk away without anyone suffering a net loss!