In this short podcast, Terry Shiverdecker and Jessica Fries-Gaither discuss how teachers in grades 3–5 can use an ecosystem-based approach to explore the impact of an oil spill in a sensitive and developmentally appropriate way.

The Science of Oil Spills — 3-5

For lessons and activities that are specific to Gulf of Mexico oil spill, try:

The Big Oil Spill. Read Ranger Rick's responses to questions kids commonly ask about the oil spill.

How Big Is the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill? See exactly where the oil spill is located in the Gulf of Mexico, and compare the size of the spill to the size of a city you are familiar with.

For lessons and activities that focus on how the oil spill grows and moves, try:

Making Mousse. Observe how oil and water mix to form "mousse," then separate.

Oil Floats and Spreads. Explore how oil floats on the ocean's surface with this simulation.

Ducks in the Flow. Learn about ocean surface currents through a storybook and hands-on exploration.

For lessons and activities that focus on the effects of the oil spill on living organisms, try:

Oil Pollution. Examine feathers, and investigate how oil affects a bird's ability to dry its feathers.

Slick Sea Spills. Investigate how oil impacts marine organisms.

Reading and Writing About Pollution to Understand Cause and Effect. Learn that pollution in our oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams is a very serious problem through a variety of reading and writing strategies and a hands-on experiment.

For lessons and activities that focus on the effect of oil spills on environments (including nonliving components), try:

Sediment Penetration Exercise. Investigate how the size of sand and rock particles affects oil penetration.

What's a Wetland? Read Ranger Rick's answers to some common questions about wetlands.

For lessons and activities that focus on oil spill cleanup and response, try:

Cleaning Oiled Feathers. Study feathers before and after exposure to oil, and then experiment with various cleanup techniques.

How People Help Nature in Oil Spills. Learn about how wildlife rescuers help nature after an oil spill.

Oil Spill Activity. Investigate how effectively various materials remove oil from water.

Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Read and contribute to this blog for teachers and students created by Pelican's Nest Science Lab.

How to Talk with Kids About the Gulf Oil Spill. National Wildlife Federation publication for parents and teachers.