Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Spindletop Oilfield
Find out how the Spindletop oil well gusher started the prolific oil industry in the great state of Texas.
Other
Mr. Palm: Texas Oil and Gas Industry
A teacher's class notes on the development and impact of the oil and gas industry on the industrialization and urbanization in Texas in the early twentieth century.
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Assessing Barra
Through a video lecture and exercises, young scholars discover how scientists in the oil and gas industry risk a prospect.
PBS
Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Edwin Drake
Dogged persistence led this man to drill -- and drill -- and drill, seeking oil deposits. His success launched an Oil Rush and brought the world a new energy source.
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Economy of Kuwait
A thorough look at the economy of Kuwait. It describes Kuwait's recovery after the first Gulf War and how the country uses its vast oil revenues.
TexasHistory.com
Texas history.com: The Big Thicket of Southeast Texas: A History, 1800 1940
The Big Thicket in Texas became a national preserve in 1974. Before that it had a very colorful history. The stories of some of the people who lived there are described, including the settlers, the Native Americans, the oil towns, and...
Curated OER
Oil Extraction at Alberta Oil Sands, Canada
A short slide show describing the process of extracting oil from the tar sands. The huge amounts of money ($20 million for a 'shovel') and the huge machines are sure to amaze.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Era of Expansion and Reform
This resource, a speech by Woodrow Wilson to Congress on April 8, 1913, gives a great review of how the United States transformed from from a rural country to an urban one. It includes a review of industrialization, new inventions,...
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Howard Robard Hughes, Sr.
Read this concise biography of Howard Robard Hughes, Sr., the inventor of the Hughes Rock Bit, which was key in the birth of the Texas oil drilling industry.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Progress, the Gilded and the Gritty: America, 1870 1912
Eighteen primary sources-historical documents, literary texts, and visual images-that explore the industrial, racial, and technological progress of the late-nineteenth century.
Curated OER
Trucks on the Oil Fields Outside Alberta, Canada
News article from Oct. 20, 2007. It discusses the impact of Alberta's oil industry on the town of Fort McMurray. As the cost of a barrel of oil has risen, it has become financially feasible to extract oil from Alberta's tar sands, a more...
BBC
Bbc News: Hurricane Rita: The Impact
Find out about the impact of Hurricane Rita on the Gulf Coast. Find a map of the path of the hurricane, satellite photo, graphic of New Orleans levee, information on the oil industry, and more.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Epa: Land, Waste, and Cleanup Topics
This site is loaded with information on solid waste and hazardous waste. It includes industries' effects on the environment, waste programs, treatment, control, pollution prevention, recycling, and cleanup programs.
State Energy Conservation Office-Texas
State Energy Conservation Office:energy Sources: Biomass Energy From Agriculture
Texas has the potential for becoming a leading provider of biomass energy due to its agricultural industry. Some crops produced in Texas, such as canola, switchgrass, sorghum, and sugarcane, have been identified as energy crops that...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Conflict in Colombia (Geographic Teaching Activity)
A stakeholder/town meeting activity that helps students examine how conflicts over Colombia's oil reserves have limited foreign investment in that country. Asks students to propose strategies for reducing the negative impact of oil...
Other
Greenpeace: Explore Alberta a Tar Sands Vacation Video
This video is a satirical look at what a summer vacation to the tar sands would be like. Awaken to propane cannons scaring birds off the toxic lakes, take your children to swim at a tarry beach, and so on. You can also check the weather...
US Department of Energy
Doe: Fossil Energy: Education Start Page
Overview of the fossil energy industry (oil, gas, coal) with detailed descriptions of the processes and the work of the people employed in the industry.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Bullock Museum: Roughnecks
Listen in to the campfire stories of the people who defined Texas, and from the time Spindletop blew its oily stack, Texas has never been the same.
Other
Sachem Central School District: Your History Site: The Muckrakers [Pdf]
Excerpts from the writings of Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell, and Jacob Riis on early industrial America. Topics include the horrors that went into the making of sausages, the problem of transportation and the Standard Oil Company, and life...
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Physics & Chemistry: Petrochemicals
Explains what petrochemicals are, the main hydrocarbon feedstocks that form the basis of petrochemical industries, sources, uses, and products made from petrochemicals. (Published: September 25, 2011)
Other
Chevron Corporation: The World of Chevron Human Energy
Find out about Chevron's products & services, their stand on environmental issues, their explorations in the U.S. and Canada, and a general overview of the company. Also late breaking news is available at this site.
BBC
Bbc: News: Country Profile: Venezuela
The BBC profiles Venezuela, its controversial leader Hugo Chavez, its oil industry, people, economy, media, and so on. Listen to the Venezuelan national anthem.
Curated OER
Pbs News Hour Extra: Gulf Oil Spill Could Be Most Damaging in History
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...