Exploring the Science of Oil

Junior geologists work through three mini-lessons that familiarize them with the formation and location of fossil fuels. Part one involves reading about petroleum and where it comes from via a thorough set of handouts. A lab activity...

Consider our energy sources: wood, coal, oil, uranium. Learners compare the pollution to energy produced for each. They practice fractional distillation of an alcohol/water mixture to simulate the process of refining crude oil....

More of a mini-unit than a lesson, these activities lead inquisitors through a survey of oil deposits. In the first part, they read about and view diagrams of sedimentary rock layers that trap oil. Next, they test porosity and...

Would you consider a power failure a current event? This lesson uses multiple experiments, guided inquiry activities, and group discussions to cover the topics of oil and gas production. This is the seventh lesson in a series of eight.

Environmental emergents read about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, 2010. They simulate an oil spill and examine the cleanup using various materials. Throughout the process, they try materials that represent booms,...

Use this slick video to introduce your environmental scientists to the wonders of biodiesel. They will learn about problems caused by our waste oil, how it can be recycled, and other benefits of using biofuels. Use the video, assessment...

If you don't get along with someone, it's said that the two of you are like oil and water. Why is this? Explore the phenomenon and explain the phrase in one resource! Science superstars first observe samples of oil and water together....

Students write a clear and detailed procedure and explore the complications in trying to clean the environment. They develop various ways to solve a complex problem. Students are cognizant of the effects of pollution on the environment....

Teach the class how to use a microscope to identify bacteria in food. Scholars explore the different parts of the microscope and learn how to determine total magnification. They walk step-by-step through the procedure of preparing slides...

Explore our reliance on oil and the need for alternative energy sources. Oil shale, a sedimentary rock product that can be processed into crude oil, is offered as a possible step toward a completely renewable future. This is a...