Curated OER
Cleaning up an oil spill
Small groups complete a science project involving cleaning up an oil spill. In this experiment, pupils use 4 different sorbents to discover which one absorbs the most oil. Afterward, they make a data table.
Royal Society of Chemistry
The Treatment of Oil Spills—Microscale Chemistry
When oil spills happen, how is the oil cleaned up? Pupils of polymer science discover an amazing substance that turns oil into a solid during a microscale experiment. Individuals observe oil or paraffin before and after addition of the...
Curated OER
Effects of Oil Spills on Environment and Marine Life
Learners explore oceanography by conducting an environmental experiment in class. In this oil spill instructional activity, students discuss the human need for oil and what is at stake when we drill for oil in our oceans. Learners read a...
Curated OER
Global Oil Busters!
Students design and implement an investigation of the impact of oil spills on the environment. They then identify and compare different methods in cleaning up oil spills. Students write letters to the Governor about why the material they...
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Oil Well That Ends Well
Focusing on the effect of oil spills on the environment, learners conduct experiments to explore this issue. First, they create an ocean environment using materials provided. Then, they make a simulated crude oil substance from vegetable...
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How to Clean Up an Oil Slick
Students explore how an oil spill is contained and cleaned up. They investigate an oil absorbing polymer that is hydrophobic, absorbs up to 19 times its own weight in nonpolar liquids, floats on water, and can be reused or disposed of by...
Curated OER
Oil Spill in a Test Tube
Students develop a test tube model of an oil spill in order to experiment with conditions needed for bioremediation. They apply the principals of experimental design by analyzing a research article on the EXXON Valdez bioremediation...
Curated OER
Oil Spill
Young scholars explore an important role of environmental engineers by studying the Exxon Valdez oil spill. They experiment with different strategies in order to clean up their own manufactured oil spill.
Curated OER
TE Activity: Oil Spill Cleanup
Students experiment by creating an oil spill and trying a number of clean up methods. They determine which methods are the least costly and most effective. They role play as an environmental engineer and as an oil company owner who must...
Curated OER
How to Clean Up An Oil Spill
Students practice cleaning up an oil spill. In this good citizenship lesson, students experiment with different cleaning agents to see which ones clean oil off a soft toy. They compare this experiment with the volunteers helping with the...
Curated OER
Cleaning an Oil Spill
Third graders use oil, feathers, eggs, rubber bands, and more to create a simulated oil spill and then clean it up. In this oil spill lesson plan, 3rd graders discuss what their cleaning process is like and how the oceans are effected...
Curated OER
Oil Spill Experiment
Young scholars participate in a hands-on experiment to help them explain the difficulties involved in oil spill cleanups.
Teach Engineering
Clean it Up!
Harness the power of bacteria. Scholars see how using organisms that exist in nature can help solve human problems in the process known as bioremediation. They research and discuss several successful examples, such as using oil-eating...
Curated OER
Oil Changes Everything
Students participate in a hands on activity simulating an oil spill. In this oil spill lesson plan, students conduct an experiment about an oil spill, discuss how it would affect the environment and provide solutions to prevent oil spills.
Curated OER
Activity #8 Simulation of Oil Spills
Students conduct an experiment to simulate an oil spill and identify the characteristics of oil in water. They evaluate the effectiveness of various cleanup methods. They discuss the how to clean up an oil spill, and what causes oil...
Curated OER
Oil Spill Activity (Easy)
Pupils explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson, students examine the effects of oil spills and investigate clean-up methods as they participate in a hands-on activity.
Curated OER
Oil Spill Simulation
Students examine the materials that can be used to clean up an oil spill. They experiment with vegetable oil and a variety of substances to see which clean the oil the best.
Curated OER
Oil Spill
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read a 7-paragraph article about the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill and respond to 5 short answer questions. Vocabulary words and definitions are included.
Salt River Project
How Do We Clean Polluted Water?
How do we clean up oil spills and other pollutants in the water? Explore water treatment strategies with a set of environmental science experiments. Groups remove oil from water, work with wastewater treatment, and perform a water...
Curated OER
Fossil Fuels: Facing the Issues
Students explore energy by researching fuel usage on Earth. In this fossil fuel lesson, students define fossil fuels, the energy created by burning them, and the impact on the environment when using them. Students conduct pollution...
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The Drill on the Spill: Learning About the Gulf Oil Leak in the Lab
Students research the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and complete experiments to study the effects of oil spills. In this oil spill lesson, students read the NY Times feature on the gulf oil spill. Students visit various links to research the...
Curated OER
Oil + Water + Wildlife = A Real Mess
Students conduct an experiment. In this environmental protection lesson, students explore how oil spills affect living organisms in an ecosystem. Students work in groups to complete a lab activity and then discuss their findings.
Curated OER
Obis Oil Spill
Students explore environmental challenges by participating in an oil spill simulation. In this water safety lesson, students discuss why oil spills happen and how their impact affects the entire ecosystem. Students utilize popcorn,...
Curated OER
Oil Spill
Fourth graders watch a video about the types of products made from oil or oil used as energy to produce the product. In groups, they identify the positive and negative aspects of oil and participate in various activities. They use the...