Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
generationOn
Purpose:
This lesson will enable the learners to better understand the effects of oil spills on the living organisms in an ecosystem.
Duration:
Two 45-minute class periods
Objectives:
The learner will:
- complete an experiment to show the effects of oil on different animals.
- understand the problems resulting from spilled oil.
- increase their understanding of the human effects on the environment.
Materials:
- Attachment One, Oil + Water + Wildlife = A Real Mess lab activity sheet
- Water
- Motor Oil
- 2 feathers- duck, goose, chicken, for each group (available at craft stores or through Internet)
- 2 pieces of natural wool material to simulate an animal’s fur for each group
- Cleaning materials - dish washing detergents, laundry detergents, baking soda, mineral oil, Borax, (Borax may be found in the laundry supply isle of a grocery store or on line http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=D1002&Show=ExtInfo
- Cotton balls
- Cotton swabs
- Paper towels
- Sponges
- Eye droppers
- Newspaper- table covering
- Pictures of the Valdez oil spill or other pictures showing the devastation to the habitat that is a result of an oil spill.
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Learners discuss their homework papers with the class. (See Attachment Two, Lesson Two: Oil Use in Your Home) List the learners’ responses on the board. What types of oil do you use at home? What do you use oil for? How do you dispose of the oil?
- Create groups of four learners for each group for this activity.
- Hand out the Oil + Water + Wildlife= A Real Mess data sheet (See Attachment One)
- Distribute the materials to each group
- Ask the learners to follow the instructions on the data sheet to complete the lab activity.
- After the learners have completed the lab activity, allow time for them to discuss their findings.
- Teacher’s Note: Access the Internet to view images of the Deepwater Horizon (BP oil spill) and Exxon Valdez oil spills or locate picture from another source such as National Geographic Magazine to share with the students for discussion.
- Continue to ask the question: Whose responsibility is it to pay for the cleanup of an oil spill?
Assessment:
Collect the student worksheet to grade for completeness.
Cross-Curriculum Extensions:
Have learners build a habitat with islands and other land areas that demonstrates the results of an oil spill or the clean up methods.
Bibliographical References:
Wikipedia "Deepwater Horizon" oil spill. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon_oil_spill (accessed August 5, 2010)
Lesson Developed By:
David WallsHolton 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 Spill Lab Activity
Follow the instructions to complete the lab activity
Step 1- Obtain the materials: Water, eye dropper, cotton balls, cotton swabs, dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, Borax, mineral oil, sponge, paper towel, TWO feathers and TWO fur pieces.
Step 2- Examine and sketch a feather
Record your observations of shape, color, texture and cleanliness.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Step 3- Use an eyedropper and drop water onto the feather observe what happens.
Step 4- Oil is now spilled in your ecosystem. Use an eyedropper and drop oil on to the feather.
Observe what happens then draw the feather and describe it.
Record your observations of shape, color, texture and cleanliness.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
After using the water and the motor oil, what is different about the feather?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
How might you clean up the feathers?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Step 5 - Examine and sketch the fur.
Record your observations of shape, color, texture and cleanliness.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Step 6- Use an eyedropper and drop water onto the fur and observe what happens.
Use an eyedropper and place a few drops of motor oil onto your other fur.
Observe what happens then draw the fur and describe.
Record your observations of shape, color, texture and cleanliness.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
After using the water and the motor oil, what is different about the fur?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
How might you clean the fur?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Step 7- Predict which clean up material might be the best to use to clean up the feather and fur.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Step 8- Select one of the cleaning materials. Use water, or a cotton ball or swab and a cleaning solution to clean the feather coated with the Motor oil.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Record your observations of shape, color, texture and cleanliness.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Select a different cleaning material and follow the above procedure to clean the fur.
Record your observations below.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Which cleaning material worked best to clean the feathers coated
with motor oil_______________________________________.
Step 9- Select one of the cleaning materials. Use water, or a cotton ball or swab and a cleaning solution to clean the fur coated with the Motor oil.
Record your observations of shape, color, texture and cleanliness.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Select a different cleaning material and follow the above procedure to clean the fur.
Record your observations below.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Which cleaning material worked best to clean the fur coated
with motor oil _______________________________________.
Answer the following questions:
- How might the use of cleaning materials affect the wildlife of an area?
__________________________________________________________________________________ - Who should be responsible for the clean up of oil spills in a habitat area?
__________________________________________________________________________________ - Who should pay for oil spill clean up?
__________________________________________________________________________________ - Other than feathers and fur, what other types of animal anatomy could be effected by oil spills.
__________________________________________________________________________________
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
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
Comments
I am starting to plan for my first week back to school, and I wanted to talk about the devastating oil spill with my classes. I have been thinking about how to conduct a lab, and finding this activity has made me so excited. Thank you. I can't wait to see what discussions this brings up in class!
What a great lesson plan for explaining the difficulties of cleaning up after an oil spill. I will be using it with 6th graders at our nature preserve.