Oceans: Oil Spill Experiments

 

Very hands-on, this Oil Spill Experiment session fit the bill. Great segue from our Earth Study unit into our Ocean unit.

This was an incredible, hands-on for all ages experiment set. It included five different experiments and we also watched some footage from news channels and oil spills from the past.

EXPERIMENT ONE: The Spill

Measure a small amount of oil. Pour it into the water. What do you notice? Is it spreading? Is it contained? How would it react differently if there were waves and currents in the water?

EXPERIMENT TWO: The Boom

Using popsicle sticks, skewers, string, try to contain the oil in a certain spot before it spreads around.

EXPERIMENT THREE: Skimmers

Using a spoon, a syringe, eye dropper, paper towels, cotton swabs, attempt to collect the oil. How much can you collect? How can you measure? What skimmers could be used in large size for a giant spill in the ocean?

EXPERIMENT FOUR: Dispersants

Drop a small amount of dish soap into your 'oil spill'. Notice what happens. Does this make it easier to collect? What would be the benefits of using Dispersants in a large spill. Oil your hands. Attempt to wash it off with water alone. Now wash it with dish soap. What did you notice?

EXPERIMENT FIVE: Dispersants & Wildlife

Watch a video of how wildlife organizations participate in oil spills. What is their role? Who are they helping? How? Take a feather, Dip it in oil. Notice how it changed. How would this effect a water animal if it's feathers were drenched in oil. Use dish soap. See if you can clean the feather back to working order.