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.
Royal Society of Chemistry
Alcohols (14-16)
Ethanol, a grain alcohol, reduces emissions and conserves petroleum when mixed into gasoline. Four puzzles challenge pupils to match alcohols to their structural formulas, types of alcohol, and full oxidation products. Each puzzle...
Curated OER
Oil: Impact of a Resource
Middle schoolers discover the history and method of oil production. In this natural resource lesson plan, students investigate early oil production. Middle schoolers discuss the challenges of turning natural resources into safe products.
Curated OER
Biodiesel: An Alternative Fuel Source
Students explore the advances that are being made in alternative fuels.In this biodiesel lesson students evaluate different petroleum and alternative fuels.
Curated OER
Harvesting Oil from the Earth
Fourth graders research sources of fossil fuels especially oil while determining how scientists take core samples from an Earth model. They look at oil consumption and production in the US and throughout the world.
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...
Curated OER
Oil Market Basics
In this natural resources worksheet, students take a ten question quiz based on their knowledge of the oil market. This a multiple choice quiz.
Curated OER
Peak Oil
Students explore the finite petroleum resources available and the surging demand for fossil fuels by developing nations. the need to reduce fossil fuel consumption and the development of alternative, sustainable fuels is examined in this...
Curated OER
How Do I Get a Pure Sample of the Molecules I Make?
Students initially engage in online research and consult print materials to identify a compound to produce. Once a selection has been made, individually, students conduct lab experiments to isolate substances. The end product is a...
Curated OER
Minerals
Students become aware of the amount of different kinds of minerals are needed to maintain our standard of living by observing the worksheet. They study how it requires production of 40,000 pounds of new minerals and metals every year for...
Curated OER
Add and Subtract with Hudson River shipping
Rivers aren't just a place for animals to live, they also provide industrial transportation. The class will examine the Hudson River on a map, discuss all the commercial vessels that use the River to transport materials, then complete a...
Curated OER
Big Boats Up The River
Using boats along in the Port of Albany as the focus, learners practice adding single-digit numbers and interpreting data. This lesson comes with the worksheets, resource links, and other materials to make it a worthwhile experience.
Curated OER
Oil Search
Students participate in a mock oil search game and attempt to find "oil" in a model oil field. They drill initially based on random guessing, but each time they drill they use prior knowledge to determine where to drill next. They must...
Curated OER
Bioplastics
Students define bioplastics and identify its uses. In this bioplastics lesson, students compare and contrast styrofoam to starch peanuts after careful examination. Students understand what biodegradeable means.
Curated OER
Oil Crisis: Get Into the Game
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....
Curated OER
Hazardous Chemicals in Your Neighborhood
Students examine the effect of hazardous chemicals on humans. They discover how the chemicals are cleaned up and the facilities in their neighborhood. They identify federal and local agencies that oversee environmental hazards
Curated OER
Current Groundwater Contamination Research
Students research the effects of groundwater pollutants on life. They name and describe 1 environmental factor that has an effect on our drinking water. Students read the Water-Groundwater and Pollution Article. They discuss and...
California Academy of Science
Greening Your Middle School
Middle schoolers redesign their school to make it more energy efficient, and create a model of their design. Learners get together in groups of 5, and they take on the task of making their school more energy efficient. To do this, they...
Carnegie Mellon University
International Perspectives to Climate Change 1
After a lecture about how the first industrial revolution triggered the path to climate change, your environmental studies class discusses what the impacts are. In a culminating activity, they get into groups and identify countries on a...
Curated OER
Make Your Own Biodegradable Plastic Stuff
Students identify the four basic natural resources. They distinguish bettween renewable and non-renewable resources. Pupils recognize that all natural resources are needed by living plants and animals. Students list consequences for...
National Institute of Open Schooling
Hydrocarbons
The vast majority of hydrocarbons humans use help fuel cars, homes, and provide energy. A comprehensive lesson teaches pupils all about hydrocarbons. From alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes to benzene, classes study the preparation of these...
Kenan Fellows
Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Energy Resources
Is one type of energy inherently good or bad? Young scientists explore energy resources in a week-long unit. After extensive research, groups create powerful position statements and presentations supporting their energy resource of choice.
Curated OER
Biomass Energy
Consider biomass as an alternative energy source with this PowerPoint. Environmental science pupils discover the potential of converting gases produced by landfills into useful energy. They compare and contrast environmental and economic...
Curated OER
Cleaning up an oil spill
Small groups complete a science project involving cleaning up an oil spill. In this experiment, pupils use 4 different sorbents to discover which one absorbs the most oil. Afterward, they make a data table.