Algoma District School Board Trustees were hands-on participants in a numeracy lesson on the topic of surface area optimization. As active participants in the lesson, trustees were given a glimpse behind the mathematical curtain as members of the elementary program team outlined the thought process behind the design of a grade six problem-solving lesson. Truly effective problems reach beyond the math classroom and allow students to see real-world applications. They allow for integration across math strands and subject areas, while usually involving situations where students solve multi-step problems. In this case and with this problem, students (and ADSB Trustees!) were exploring the relationship between surface area and the volume of rectangular prisms. The use of manipulatives allows students to deepen their conceptual understanding and engagement of learning.