Oil Spill STEM Challenge
Learn about the effects of an oil spill on the environment through a hands-on engineering challenge! The goal of this challenge is to clean up all of the oil from the feathers and from the water in the time provided. Students will work in teams to devise a plan to get the oil spill cleaned up in a specified time of work.
Grades: 2nd - 9th
Teaching Duration: 50 minutes
“This was a great packet, both my students and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The readings and notes were perfect for giving my students the background knowledge that they needed. ”
lesson overview
Oil Spill STEM Activity - Great for Earth Day!
Learn about the effects of an oil spill on the environment through a hands-on engineering challenge! The goal of this challenge is to clean up all of the oil from the feathers and from the water in the time provided. Students will work in teams to devise a plan to get the oil spill cleaned up in a specified time of work.
Distance learning update: Activity has been updated to accommodate distance learning including instructions on creating a materials kit and digital STEM journals that are editable in Google Slides.
Adaptable activity: This activity is adaptable for 2nd - 9th graders. Math extension problems (in both SI and metric units) target 5th - 8th grade topics including measurement, percentages, volume calculations, and ratios. Through the activity, students will understand the challenges of cleaning a major oil spill disaster and will lead to discussions on the effects on marine plants and animals. This is great for an Earth Day activity!
Read more about the Oil Spill Challenge here.
Included in this product
Standards: Common Core Math and NGSS
Engineering Design Process poster
Oil Spill Lesson Plan
Materials list and activity suggestions
Student handouts including information on BP Oil Spill, clean-up efforts, and environmental consequences
Digital STEM journal in Google Slides
Printed STEM journal for distance learning (editable in Google Slides)
Student activity guide
STEM Career Connection: Marine biologist, environmental engineer, environmental scientist, petroleum engineer
Math Connection at an upper elementary and middle school level: Percentages, Measurements, Volume (*in SI and metric units*)
Reflection Questions
