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Worksheet
Curated OER

Prince William's Oily Mess: A Tale of Recovery

For Students 5th - 7th
In this environment worksheet, students explore the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Students read and study text and photographs about the 1989 spill. Students answer 6 essay questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Activity #8 Simulation of Oil Spills

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students conduct an experiment to simulate an oil spill and identify the characteristics of oil in water. They evaluate the effectiveness of various cleanup methods. They discuss the how to clean up an oil spill, and what causes oil...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science and the Ocean Ranger Disaster

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate the scientific theories behind various elements of the Ocean Ranger disaster. They present their information in a format of their choosing.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pollution Solution

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students, after discussing oil pollution, generate solutions to an oil spill.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Connection to Me?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students 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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oil Spill Clean Up

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students use various methods and materials to clean up a simulated oil spill that has occurred. Once clean the students will decide which method or material was most useful
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Website
Canadian Wildlife Federation

Hinterland Who's Who: Oil Pollution and Birds

For Students 9th - 10th
Oil can be deadly for a bird. Even a tiny amount, the size of a quarter, could be enough to kill a bird. Learn how oil harms birds and what birds are most at risk. Then, take a look at how oil spills happen and just what can be done....
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Website
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Ocean Oil: Deepwater Horizon Disaster

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of articles on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that happened on April 20, 2010. It was caused by an offshore explosion on an oil platform fifty miles southeast of the Mississippi River delta.
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Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Ocean Oil: Coastal Ecosystems

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of articles, video, and some teaching guides on issues related to coastal ecosystems. Includes environmental issues, e.g., oil spills, and different types of ecosystems, e.g., mangroves and coastal grasslands.
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Handout
Other

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council: Questions and Answers

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this site to learn all about the Exxon Valdez oil spill in this easy to read, detailed, question/answer format. The links on the left hand side will take you to pictures, maps, lingering impacts and lots more.
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Article
Other

Anchorage Daily News: Legacy of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

For Students 9th - 10th
A special feature published by the Anchorage Daily News March 21-24, 1999, 10 years after the event. Provides stories, illustrations, photos and background.
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Website
US Geological Survey

Usgs: National Water Quality Assessment Program

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this website to find out about water quality issues anywhere in the U.S.A. where water studies have been conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey.
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Website
NOAA

Noaa: National Ocean Service Education: Nonpoint Source Pollution

For Students 9th - 10th
Illustrated tutorial explains nonpoint source pollution and its role in the health of the environment. Students learn about different sources of pollution and how these pollutants contaminate the land, air, and water. Click on the links...
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Oil Spill Cleanup

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This hands-on experiment will provide students with an understanding of the issues that surround environmental cleanup. Students will create their own oil spill, try different methods for cleaning it up, and then discuss the merits of...
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Oil on the Ocean

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students learn about oil spills and their environmental and economic effects. They experience the steps of the engineering design process as they brainstorm potential methods for oil spill clean-up, and then design, build, and re-design...
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Website
Other

Greenpeace

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the home site for the non-profit organization Greenpeace. Greenpeace is an organization whose primary concern are threats to the planet's biodiversity and environment. The site provides links to news about the organization, a...
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Website
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: Epa Response to Bp Spill in the Gulf of Mexico

For Students 9th - 10th
Get the facts about what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is doing in response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Article
BBC

Bbc News: What Is a 'Top Kill'?

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Handout
NOAA

Noaa: Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides information about the impacts of the oil spill, the injury and recovery of fish, wildlife and people of the spill region, and information about ongoing restoration and research activities. Has a great link to other...
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Unknown Type
Biology Corner

Biology Corner: Analyzing the Effects of Oil on Bird Eggs and Feathers

For Students 9th - 10th
Learners will observe the effects of an oil spill on feathers and eggs.
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Lesson Plan
Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Human Impact: Oil Consumption

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Lesson plan allows students to practice their math skills by calculating how many barrels of oil they and their families consume.
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Website
Other

Water Pollution

For Students 3rd - 8th
Read about the different types of water pollution and the harm it can cause. Learn about oil spills how they are cleaned up, and how you can help prevent water pollution. Additional links point to other topics relevant to the study of...
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Handout
PBS

Pbs News Hour Extra: Gulf Oil Spill Could Be Most Damaging in History

For Students 9th - 10th
Discussed is the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the attempts to clean up the oil, animals and industries threatened, policies questioned and a comparison made to the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Includes instructional resources. (4 May...
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Website
PBS

Pbs News Hour Extra: Largest Oil Spill in u.s. History Continues

For Students 9th - 10th
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...