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...

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,...

The dynamics between the economies and politics of the United States and the Middle East are here to study. Upper graders read and discuss scenarios relating to OPEC and the current oil crisis, then in small groups role-play members of...

A brief look at natural resources are described, prior to explaining the importance of oil in this 12-slide PowerPoint. Clear and colorful graphics are on each slide to keep viewers interested and more informed. Tip: Ask students how...

Energy conservers investigate gravel size to discover if it impacts the amount of oil recovered in the extraction process. 

Students simulate methods used to extend the effective life of an oil well by extracting less available oil. They identify techniques which can be used and evaluate their effectiveness. Pupils are introduced to rock size and temperature...

Learners demonstrate how much our society depends on petroleum products. They show how advances in technology have allowed us to find, obtain, and transport oil more efficiently.

Prior to class, individuals visit the Department of Energy website to examine the process of refining oil. After discussing what they learned, they find the Gulf of Mexico on a richly illustrated map that specifically indicates where...

Display a stunning drawing of the Gulf of Mexico's ecosystems. Learners examine the picture to determine what birds live there and what foods they rely on. Then show a poignant five-minute film that examines the impact of the 2010...

Pupils play an online strategy game working with a limited budget. They collect and interpret seismic data to search for oil traps, file environmental impact statements before drilling and use drill logs to determine when to start pumping.

Students analyze how producers respond to incentives and allocate their scare resources to maximize profits. They write persuasive letters to government officials and others. They read "Dry Wells That Are Not So Dry." They take notes...

In this Gulf oil spill instructional activity, students examine a 4-page article regarding basic facts about the oil spill as well as photographs of clean-up efforts.

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...

As of 2015, there are 53,481 oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Scholars determine how species diversity is impacted based on the ecosystem's distance from a drilling platform.  It focuses on finding the mean of data sets and creating bar...

Here is a nice, clean wrap-up lesson for your chemistry class when they are studying chemical reactions . They experiment with different oils to make soap. To make it more fun, they are to imagine that they are part of a soap testing...

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...

In this oil spills worksheet, learners write facts about the research they find about the oil spills asked. Students complete answers for 20 oil spills.

In this Gulf oil spill worksheet, 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.

Students 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 personal...

Students participate in activities to develop an understanding of the world oil crisis. In this oil crisis lesson, students read online articles about the oil shortage. They attempt to develop a solution to problem and to take action....

Students discuss the oil crisis and how it affects the food they eat. In this food production lesson plan, students look at the foods sold in their grocery store and imagine which would leave if there was no oil to ship the food. They...

Students discover the history and method of oil production.  For this natural resource lesson, students investigate early oil production.  Students discuss the challenges of turning natural resources into safe products.

Second graders explore the Egyptian folktale, The Well of Truth. In this folktale lesson plan, 2nd graders read the tale and discuss the events from the text. Students write a diary entry from the point of view of a character in the...

I was going to write a joke about oil, but it seemed crude. This lesson starts with a comparison of where the US gets oil from and how that has changed over time. After analyzing the data, scholars create a graph and use the Internet to...