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In this activity, learners explore how environmental engineers might approach solving the problem of an oil spill. Learners work in teams of "engineers" to develop a system to contain and then remove oil from a "spill." Teams decide on which materials they will use and how they will isolate the oil from the water. They then execute their plan with everyday materials, evaluate their results, observe the results of other "engineering" teams, and present findings to the class.
- 10 to 30 minutes
- 1 to 2 hours
- Over $20 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 18
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Student Resource Sheets
- Student Worksheets
- Water basin or sink for testing
- "Oil" (1/2 cup vegetable oil mixed with cocoa powder)
- Rubber bands
- Paper towels
- String
- Toothpicks
- Cotton balls
- Plastic wrap
- Popsicle sticks
- Shredded wheat cereal
- Balloons
- Cooked rice
- Garden peat moss
- Grass
- Cork
- Suction tube/cooking baster
- Spoon
- Other materials as needed
Subjects
-
Earth and Space Science
-
Earth Structure
- Oceans and Water
-
Earth Structure
-
Engineering and Technology
-
Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
- Technology
-
Engineering
-
Life Sciences
-
Ecology
- Ecosystems
- Human Impact
-
Ecology
-
Physical Sciences
-
Chemistry
- Chemical Bonding
- Chemical Reactions
-
States of Matter
- Solids
- Liquids
-
Structure and Properties of Matter
- Volume and Density
-
Chemistry
-
The Nature of Science
-
Science and Society
- Risks and Benefits
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
- Science as a Career
-
Science and Society
-
The Nature of Technology
-
Technology and Society
- Impacts of Technology
- Technology and the Environment
-
The Design Process
- Research and Development
- Invention and Innovation
- Problem Solving
- Troubleshooting and Maintenance
-
Technology and Society
Informal Categories
- Nature and Environment
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- see color
- read
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, IEEE,