Find the Best Way to Clean Oil off Bird Feathers

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In this experiment, learners examine the way oil affects bird feathers and test different cleanup methods to find out which works best. Learners answer questions throughout the investigation, reflecting on how birds are affected by oil spills and the best way to rescue birds after a spill.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Simulation
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Clean, dry feathers (good places to find feathers are beaches, parks, and pet stores)
  • Four bowls
  • Vegetable oil
  • Dish-washing detergent
  • Hot, cold, and room-temperature water (the hot water should be about the same temperature you'd use to wash dishes and not too hot to put your hands in)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (optional)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Animals
    • Ecology
      • Human Impact
  • Physical Sciences
    • Chemistry
    • States of Matter
      • Liquids
  • The Nature of Science
    • Science and Society
      • Risks and Benefits
    • The Scientific Process
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results
  • The Nature of Technology
    • Technology and Society
      • Impacts of Technology
      • Technology and the Environment

Informal Categories

  • Animals
  • Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Uses STEM to solve real-world problems
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, NOAA, 2008