Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Oil Spill Perspectives
With the BP oil spill still fresh on your scholars' minds, take the opportunity to analyze various perspectives on it through political cartoons. This critical-analysis handout features 2 cartoons on the incident. Background information...
Curated OER
Corrosion to Corals
Students study galvanic exchange and how it produces electric currents. In this ocean lesson students predict what metals deteriorate in salt water.
Curated OER
What's the Connection?
Young scholars explain hardground communities in the Gulf of Mexico. In this deep-sea ecosystem lesson, students investigate the connection between deep-sea ecosystems and petroleum deposits. They discuss the relationship between...
Curated OER
Marine Archaeology
Students examine marine archaeology. In this archaeological data lesson, students see how archaeologists use data to make inferences about shipwrecks. Students read data and make their own inferences, write about marine life and...
Curated OER
The Puzzle of the Ice Age Americans
Students describe alternative theories for how the first humans cane to America. In this human origin lesson students study the origins of the first Americans.
Curated OER
Let's Hit the Slopes!
Students study benthic communities in the Gulf of Mexico and explain their roles. In this investigative lesson students participate in a group activity and study how to calculate and index of biological communities.
Curated OER
What's Eating Your Ship?
High schoolers examine the processes that contribute to the deterioration of shipwrecked in shallow and deep water. In this research lesson students explore shipwrecks and how the deterioration process works. High schoolers fill out...
Curated OER
Oil Spill
Students examine the implications of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil disaster. In this oil spill lesson, students research details regarding the BP oil leak and then participate in a simulation that requires them to role play those whose...
Curated OER
What's in That Cake?
Students explore the depths of the Gulf of Mexico. In this deep-sea habitat lesson, students construct edible models of deep-sea habitats as they bake cakes that include representations of the habitats and the organisms that live there....
Curated OER
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
Cabeza de Vaca
Fourth graders observe the 1529 map of the Gulf of Mexico and describe the accuracy of the map, including the unknown landscape that Cabeza de Vaca would traverse. They read the discuss the excerpt of his journey including his treatment...
Curated OER
What I Can Do on Summer Vacation
Students explore environmentally friendly activities for summer vacation on the Gulf and create a travel guide for these activities.
Curated OER
Where Have All the Wetlands Gone?
Students investigate the wetlands. In this environmental conservation activity, students discuss the characteristics of wetlands and identify their location. Students work in cooperative groups to complete a handout.
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Ocean Oil: Gulf of Mexico
A collection of articles and video dealing with the Gulf of Mexico.
Choices Program, Brown University
Choices: Teaching With the News: The Gulf Oil Disaster
Multi-media lesson plan includes a video, PowerPoint, and handouts from which students explore the issues raised by the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil disaster and interpret political cartoons and the cartoonist's message.
BBC
Bbc News: What Is a 'Top Kill'?
As the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico officially becomes America's largest oil disaster, a major procedure, known as 'top kill', is being tried to stop the flow of oil. Details of the procedure, graphics, and video clips are included.
NOAA
Noaa: Expedition to the Deep Slope
This resource provides articles and information about an expedition to the Deep Slope in the Gulf of Mexico.
Other
Gulf Base: General Facts About the Gulf of Mexico
This article provides general facts about the Gulf of Mexico. Sections included are location and size, depth, origins and geologic history, geology, circulation and currents and resources.
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Largest Oil Spill in u.s. History Continues
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has surpassed the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster. Briefly discussed is criticism of the Obama administration for not acting quickly enough. Described are the efforts by BP oil to stop the oil leak, effects...
National Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Federation: Mississippi River Delta
Briefly explore the geography and history, meet the wildlife, and understand the conditions threatening Coastal Louisiana.
NOAA
Noaa: Estuaries 101 Curriculum: Oil Spill the Rest of the Story
Watch this report on the BP oil spill of 2010, one of the most devastating oil spills in the history of the United States. Learn about not only the effects of a point source pollution event like the oil spill, but also about the many...
University of California
Earthguide: Maps: Shaded Relief: Gulf of Mexico [Pdf]
View and/or print a colored shaded relief map of the Gulf of Mexico. PDF (requires Adobe Reader)