National Geographic
Rescuing, Relocating, and Rehabilitating Wildlife
Bring up the Deepwater Horizon (BP) oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. Display the colorful diagram of the coastal and marine organisms living in the area. Show a video about relocating the eggs of the Gulf's sea...
NOAA
Biological Oceanographic Investigations – Signals from the Deep
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill directly impacted an area of the Gulf of Mexico the size of Oklahoma. A marine biology lesson plan looks at the impact of an oil spill on the deeper parts of the ocean. Scholars download actual data...
Curated OER
The Drill on the Spill: Learning About the Gulf Oil Leak in the Lab
Young scholars 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. Young scholars visit various links to...
Illustrative Mathematics
Crude Oil and Gas Mileage
Here is an activity that presents a real-world problem about the relationship between crude oil production and the gas mileage of modern automobiles. After learners write functions to describe the relationships, they are asked to find...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Safety vs. Energy
Political cartoons are a poignant way to examine energy sources. This analysis handout has scholars examining a cartoon by Joe Heller (a link to his gallery is included for possible extensions). Background information reminds pupils of...
NOAA
Biological Oceanographic Investigations – Through Robot Eyes
How can a robot measure the length of something when we don't know how far the camera is from the object? The lesson explains the concept of perspective and many others. Scholars apply this knowledge to judge the length of fish and the...
NOAA
Biological Oceanographic Investigations – I, Robot, Can Do That!
How do you decide the best person for each job? Would it be easier if you didn't have to consider their feelings? The lesson begins with a discussion of underwater robots. Then groups research one of these robots and present their...
Curated OER
Telling Our Stories of Giving - Writing to Persuade
After identifying the parts of a persuasive piece of writing, young writers explore different prewriting activities for the persuasive essay. They have the option to write a news article, personal narrative, or persuasive essay to...
Curated OER
Life on the Hardbottom
Students find similarities and differences between a biotrope habitat and an ecosystem. For this hardbottom biotrope lesson, students research and respond to inquiry questions about a biotrope. Students identify three biotropes in the...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Safety vs. Energy
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about energy sources and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Oil Spill Lesson Plans
With the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, now is a great time to educate students on issues related to oil.
Curated OER
Where's the Oxygen?
Young scholars study seawater and how temperature and salinity influence it. In this oxygen activity students complete a lab activity on dissolved oxygen.
Curated OER
What's So Special?
Young scholars study the biology and morphology of Lophelia corals. In this investigative lesson students explain how the coral contributes to communities, and create a poster.
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
The Gulf Oil Spill in the Classroom
Young scholars explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students investigate the media response to the Gulf oil spill as they examine live streaming video, interpret data, and share their...
Curated OER
Let's Hit the Slopes!
Students study benthic communities in the Gulf of Mexico and explain their roles. For this investigative lesson students participate in a group activity and study how to calculate and index of biological communities.
Curated OER
Gulf Oil Spill Fill-In
In this Gulf oil spill instructional activity, students examine an article regarding basic facts about the April 20, 2010 oil spill and then respond to 25 fill in the blank questions. A word bank is provided.
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.
Curated OER
An Exploration of Global Oil Spill Disasters
In this oil spills worksheet, students write facts about the research they find about the oil spills asked. Students complete answers for 20 oil spills.
Curated OER
What's the Connection to Me?
Learners discuss the impact of oil spill to the environment and to their daily lives. In this environmental science instructional activity, students research the pros and cons of petroleum based products. They share their findings in class.