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Oil + Water = A Mess

Lesson 2:

From Unit Oil Changes Everything

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

6th-8th Grade

Subjects:

Library / Technology, Philanthropy, Science and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

PHIL:	3 genOn; Act of Kindness; Common Good; Emergency Response; Environmental Stewardship; Helping; Oil Spill; Responsibility; Stewardship
SCI:	Animals; Ecosystems; Habitat
SOC:	Cause/Effect; Civic Responsibility/Virtue

Purpose:

This lesson will allow the learners to have a hands-on experience investigating an oil spill. They will develop possible solutions to the problems that an oil spill creates for the environment.

Duration:

One 45-minute class period

Objectives:

The learner will:

understand the interdependence of organisms on the Earth.

conduct an experiment to show the problems resulting from an oil spill.

understand the affects humans have on the environment.

develop possible solutions to the problems that oil spills create for the environment.

Materials:

Attachment One, Oil + Water = A Mess data sheet. One per group
Attachment Two, Oil Use in Your Home. One for each learner.
Clear glass bowl
Straw
Water
Vegetable or motor oil
Cinnamon
Mini-Marshmallows

Handout 1: Oil + Water + A Mess
Handout 2: Oil Use In Your Home

Teacher Preparation:

Used motor oil can be recycled and should not go down the sink drain. You can bring the oil from this lesson to any auto service station for recycling. This website has more information: http://www.recycleoil.org/more.html

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:
Review the lesson from the previous class. Recall that the oil floated on the water and that the oil adhered to the craft stick or feather. Tell them that they are going to experience first hand how oil affects other objects.

Arrange the learners into groups of two.

Distribute materials to each group.

Distribute Attachment One, Oil + Water = A Mess data sheet. Go over it so that the learners are clear on the instructions.

Ask the learners to follow the instructions on the Oil +Water = A Mess worksheet to complete the investigation.

After the experiment, discuss the results with the learners.

Lead a discussion by asking the following questions: Predict what would happen to the wildlife in the ocean and on the land if oil was spilled into the ocean? (The animals and land will be covered in oil or people that use the oil.) Who should be responsible for cleaning the oil from both the animals and the land? Who should be held responsible for the clean up; the owners of the ships and/ or the people that own the oil? What can be done to prevent oil spills in the future (Develop legislation, fines and regulations for the shippers and users of oil.)

Assessment:

Collect the investigation data sheet after the lab activity. Grade each for completeness.

School/Home Connection:

Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
Distribute Attachment Two, Oil Use in Your Home worksheet. Have the learners answer the questions with the help of their families. Ask them to return the worksheet for discussion during the next class session.

Lesson Developed By:

David Walls
Holton Public Schools
Holton Middle School
Holton, MI 49425

Jessica Wagenmaker
Holton Public Schools
Holton Middle School
Holton, MI 49425

Handouts:

Handout 1Print Handout 1

Oil + Water + A Mess

Follow the instructions to complete this lab activity.

Step #1- Obtain the materials: glass bowl, plastic spoon, drinking straw, water, oil, cinnamon and five (5)
mini-marshmallows.

Step #2- Pour the water into the bowl and add oil to the water.
Observe the water and the oil. Describe three things that you observed.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Predict what will happen when you sprinkle cinnamon onto the oil?

______________________________________________________________________________________

Step #3- Gently sprinkle the cinnamon onto the oil in the bowl, observe what happened.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Step #4- Drop the mini-marshmallows in the bowl. These marshmallows represent animals in the environment.
Observe what happens. Record what the marshmallows look like.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Steps #5- Using the straw have one member of the group blow gently, then harder on the oil. This represents
wind and waves that push oil in nature. Observe what happens to the marshmallows. Record what you see.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Observe what happens to the sides of the bowl. Record what you see.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Step #6- Try to skim the oil off the surface of the water with the spoon to remove the cinnamon. Observe what
happens. Record the results.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Is the cinnamon easy or hard to remove? _____________________________________________________

How is this activity similar to what occurs when oil is spilled?

______________________________________________________________________________________

Handout 2Print Handout 2

Oil Use In Your Home

Complete this worksheet at home with the help of your family. Be prepared to being it back to the next class to use for discussion.

1. What type of oils do you have in your house?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What do you use oil for in your house?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

3. How do you dispose of oil when you are finished using it?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

4. How could improper disposal of oil be harmful to the environment?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

5. How can you help inform people about the proper disposal of used oil?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Academic Standards:

State/Country:

Philanthropy Framework:

Unit Contents:

Overview:Oil Changes Everything Summary

Lessons:

1.: Oil, Oil Everywhere
2.: Oil + Water = A Mess
3.: Oil + Water + Wildlife = A Real Mess
4.: Oil + Water + Students= Knowledge

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