National Geographic
Simulate an Oil Spill Cleanup
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,...
Curated OER
The Gulf Oil Disaster
Students take a closer look at the Gulf oil spill of 2010. In this global issues instructional activity, students analyze political cartoons related to the crisis. Students discuss their impressions of the crisis and U.S. energy policies.
Curated OER
Gulf Oil Spill Fill-In
For 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.
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
An Oil Spill Primer for Students
In this Gulf oil spill worksheet, students examine a 4-page article regarding basic facts about the oil spill as well as photographs of clean-up efforts.
Curated OER
Gulf Oil Spill:What Happened, and Who is Responsible?
Students investigate the Gulf Oil Spill. In this environmental issues lesson, students watch video clips about the oil spill and discuss the devastation caused by the spill as well as who is responsible. Students also consider how many...
National Geographic
Sea Turtles and the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
There are seven species of sea turtles, five of which live in the Gulf of Mexico. Young scientists learn about each and then examine the impact of the Deepwater Horizon (BP) oil spill on the populations. A video, Internet links to sea...
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...
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
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...
Curated OER
The Gulf Oil Spill Provides Many Learning Opportunities
You can use math and engineering lesson plans to delve into the affects of the recent oil spill.
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.
National Geographic
Oil and Bird Populations
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...
Curated OER
Density Lessons and the Oil Spill
Teachers can use the oil spill cleanup efforts as a springboard to discussions and activities related to density!
National Geographic
Birds, Feathers, and Oil
Point out the Gulf of Mexico and tell your class about the 2010 oil spill. Give each emerging ecologist a large bird feather. Have them make observations about it and then predict what would happen if it were to be placed in oil. Have...
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...
Curated OER
Pelicans in Peril
In this Gulf oil spill worksheet, students examine an article regarding the brown pelican and the effects of the oil spill as well as a photograph.
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 looks at the impact of an oil spill on the deeper parts of the ocean. Scholars download actual data collected...
Curated OER
Oil Consumption
Young scholars explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson, students calculate the barrels of oil that their family consumes in a year.
Curated OER
Save the Bay
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson, students examine the environmental effects of oil spills as they replicate a contained oil spill and clean up.
Curated OER
What's the Connection to Me?
Students discuss the impact of oil spill to the environment and to their daily lives. In this environmental science lesson plan, students research the pros and cons of petroleum based products. They share their findings in class.
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...
Curated OER
How Microbes Help Ecosystems
Sixth graders observe different microorganisms under the microscope. In this biology lesson, 6th graders draw and describe the samples they see. They study the root nodules of plants and explain how the plants benefit from those bacteria.