The National Environmental Education Foundation EE Week project has compiled a list of resources and curricula on the BP oil spill that are tied to educational standards from the EPA, NOAA, Smithsonian, and National Geographic.
The URL is: http://eeweek.org/oil_spill.htm

National Geographic

Posted 6/ 10/ 2010, students can read a short summary of what’s happening to wildlife as a result of the BP oil spill. Students can also participate in an online discussion forum below the article and look at pictures of the spill.
The URL is: http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/greenscene...

National Wildlife Federation

Students have the opportunity to read answers to some typical questions they might have with “Ranger Rick’s” Q & A.


The URL is: http://www.nwf.org/Kids/Ranger-Rick/People-and-Pla...

Scholastic News

Published 6/ 2/ 2010, Scholastic continues to track the Gulf oil spill a month after their previous article.


The URL is: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3...

Scholastic News

Published 5/ 3/ 2010, the article explains the Gulf oil spill event, the President’s response to it, clean up efforts, and any repercussions the spill might have on both animals and humans.


The URL is: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3...

PBS News Hour Extra

Published 5/4/2010, this article provides a brief summary of the Gulf oil spill, clean up attempts, the effects it has had on wildlife, the changes in policy as a result of the oil spill, and then compares it to the Exxon Valdez oil spill.


The URL is: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/us/jan-...

National Geographic in partnership with Shell

Published 5/7/2010, students read about nature’s own line of defense in reaction to the Gulf oil spill.


The URL is: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/10...

National Geographic in partnership with Shell

Published 5/ 27/ 2010, this article discusses the BP oil spill in terms of how it happened, what’s being done to clean it up, and what effect it may have on wildlife. It also touches on the political arguments around government policy for underwater drilling.


The URL is: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/10...

National Geographic in partnership with Shell

Published 4/25/2010, this article reflects the initial public reaction to the oil spill. Making for an interesting comparison to later articles, students can read about the spill, Gulf states’ preparations, and the acute change in government language concerning offshore drilling.
The URL is: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/10...

National Geographic in partnership with Shell

Students learn new information about oil spills by testing their knowledge in the form of this online quiz.


The URL is: http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environm...

NOAA, the US Department of Interior, EPA, and the US Coast Guard is contributing to this Web site that integrates the latest data about the oil spill trajectory, fishery closures, wildlife data, and real-time spill response information into an interactive map.
The URL is: http://www.geoplatform.gov/gulfresponse/

This EPA Web site provides information on how EPA is responding to the oil spill. Includes air and water sampling data, waste management, and more.
The URL is: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/

Rutgers University Coastal Ocean Observation Lab is developing this portal that is consolidating data on the oil spill.
The URL is: http://rucool.marine.rutgers.edu/deepwater/

Site offers background information and links about the Deepwater Horizon incident and oil spills in general.
The URL is: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/deepwaterhorizon/

Get updates on the status of NOAA’s response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
The URL is: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/dwh.php?entry...

The Bridge, NMEA, and Sea Grant blog to allow in-depth discussion of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The blogs include links to information from other sources.
The URL is: http://bridge.blogs.wm.edu/oil-spill/

Online oil spill curriculum developed after the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
The URL is: http://www.pwsrcac.org/outreach/education.html

National Library of Medicine

This is an interactive site where students can explore the impact of different toxins on their home environment. Students can explore the site to watch colorful, animated representations of toxic chemicals infiltrating their home or school environment (city, farm, port, or town).


The URL is: http://www.toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/neighb...

The New York Times

While this page does not include any specific lesson plans, it makes a good reference for teachers who would like to discuss the BP oil spill in class. The NY Times provides links to an interactive map to track the progression of the oil spill, as well as short articles for students to read.
The URL is: http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/the-g...

The Learning Network, New York Times

In this lesson, students read and discuss the chain of events connected to the BP oil spill and clean up attempts in the Gulf of Mexico. Students then design their own experiment, asking and answering questions concerning possible clean up options or environmental/ economic repercussions.


The URL is: http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/the-d...

eGFI, American Society for Engineering Education

In this lesson students first work in teams to analyze an oil spill in class and then work on ways to contain the spill and remove the oil from the water.
The URL is: http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/lesson-plan-oil-spill...

Science Buddies

Students discuss the dominating presence oil has in every day human life. Then students conduct investigations into the validity of using sorbents to clean up an oil spill.
The URL is: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-project...

PBS News Hour Extra

In this lesson students examine the pros and cons of off shore oil drilling and demonstrate their knowledge by arguing in support or criticism of President Obama’s policy towards off shore drilling.
The URL is: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonp...

Smithsonian Education

This series of lessons covers an overview of the origins, benefits, and properties of oil. Students watch a demonstration of what happens during an oil spill. Then they conduct an investigation into clean up methods, followed by an evaluation of the oil spill’s repercussions.


The URL is: http://smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_p...

Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Three lessons having to do with oil spills:

Save the Bay

Students watch as their teacher simulates an oil spill. Following the demonstration, groups of students race to figure out the best way to clean up the spill before it reaches land. Students then discuss their observations.

http://octopus.gma.org/surfing/human/savethebay.html

Oil Consumption

Students practice their math skills by calculating how many barrels of oil they and their families consume.

http://octopus.gma.org/surfing/human/consumption.html

How Big Is An Oil Tanker?

Students learn about the magnitude of an oil spill by studying the size of an oil tanker.

http://octopus.gma.org/surfing/human/howbig.html
The URL is: http://octopus.gma.org/surfing/human/oilindex.html

The LEAGUE- Curriculum Empowered by Learning to Give

In this unit students learn about the origins and properties of oil as well as what humans use it for. They then confront the effects that oil has on water and wildlife. The unit concludes with a discussion of the role students may have in protecting and cleaning our waters.



Oil, Oil Everywhere

Students learn about where oil comes from and what we use it for. Then students witness an in class demonstration of an oil spill.

http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit377/lesson1.html

Oil+ Water= A Mess

Students simulate an oil spill in class. They then observe and reflect the effect that the oil spill would have on plants and animals.

http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit377/lesson2.html

Oil+ Water+ Animals= A Real Mess

Students simulate an oil spill’s effect on animals by dropping oil on feathers and fur specimens. Then students use various methods to try to clean the oil-stained fur and feathers.

http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit377/lesson3.html

Oil+ Water+ Students= Knowledge

In this lesson students create and advertising campaign using paper shopping bags. On the bags students write messages, encouraging others to advocate for legislation that will protect the environment from human caused disasters such as oil spills.

http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit377/lesson4.html
The URL is: http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit377/

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

A series of classroom activities geared towards topics of oil pollution:

Demonstrating Oil Bioremediation

This exercise allows students to witness the ways bacteria and microorganisms can help break down and disperse oil after an oil spill (oil bioremediation).

http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Environment_Protection/Educational_resources_and_information/Teachers/Classroom_Projects/Bioremediation_exercise.asp

Clean Up Oil Spill Excercise

Students experiment different ways to clean up oil spills.

http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Environment_Protection/Educational_resources_and_information/Teachers/Classroom_Projects/Clean_up_oil_spill_exercise.asp

Government Jurisdiction Excercise

Students learn about the government’s responsibility in relation to off shore drilling and oil spill clean up.

http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Environment_Protection/Educational_resources_and_information/Teachers/Classroom_Projects/Government_jurisdiction_exercise.asp

Mathematics and Oil Spills

Students use math to understand the severity of an oil spill.

http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Environment_Protection/Educational_resources_and_information/Teachers/Classroom_Projects/Mathematics_and_Oil_Spills.asp
The URL is: http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Environment_Protecti...

The Franklin Institute

Students first discuss how oil gets into the water supply. Then, students investigate how oil affects the ocean and the organisms that live in it. Afterwards, students determine how best to attempt cleaning up an oil spill. The experiment helps students develop problem solving and critical thinking skills.
The URL is: http://www.fi.edu/tfi/activity/earth/earth-2.html

Introduction Day

In this lesson students brainstorm what they already know about oil spills. They then discuss as a class what an oil spill is and what impact it has on the environment.

http://www.educ.drake.edu/sci_ed/elem_sci/environ/Oil%20Spill%20Cleanup/activity1.htm

Teams Clean Up a Mini Oil Spill

Students simulate an oil spill in a lab setting. As part of the simulation, students experiment the best way to clean up an oil spill and record the observations and reactions.

http://www.educ.drake.edu/sci_ed/elem_sci/environ/Oil%20Spill%20Cleanup/activity2.htm

Discuss Lab Results

Students discuss the results of their experiments. They then go on to discuss how their experiments relate to real life oil spills.

http://www.educ.drake.edu/sci_ed/elem_sci/environ/Oil%20Spill%20Cleanup/activity3.htm
The URL is: http://www.educ.drake.edu/sci_ed/elem_sci/environ/...

Try Engineering

This lesson challenges students to develop the best instruments and procedures for cleaning up an oil spill. Students then execute their design and reflect on the results.


The URL is: http://www.tryengineering.org/lessons/spillsolutio...

NOAA

An activity where students observe the penetrating effect of oil on sediment and examine the implications this might have for coastal recovery from an oil spill.


The URL is: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/topic_subtopi...

NOAA

Students learn first hand how oil affects bird feathers. Students then complete an experiment to clean oiled feathers.


The URL is: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/audience_subt...

The Ranger Rick program from the National Wildlife Federation offers suggestions on how to talk to young people about the Gulf oil spill. Addresses age-appropriate discussions, how to diffuse fear, and encourage participation.
The URL is: http://www.nwf.org/Kids/Ranger-Rick/Parents-and-Ed...

To help bird educators find useful information for their classrooms about the Gulf oil spill and birds, Flying WILD has complied this educator resource page that includes links to key Web sites and databases, educator tools, articles, and how to help.
The URL is: http://www.flyingwild.org/resources/gulfoilspillre...

The National Wildlife Federation Web site is featuring news stories, information, photographs, and actions individuals can take to help with wildlife impacted by the oil spill.
The URL is: http://www.nwf.org/Home/Wildlife/Wildlife-Conserva...

This Prince William Sound Science Institute Web site lists educational resources on oil spills from the Exxon Valdez incident and research done since.
The URL is: http://www.pwssc.org/education/oil_spill_education...

Move your mouse over any city on Google Maps to see how large an area the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is covering. Google Earth plugin required.
The URL is: http://paulrademacher.com/oilspill/

The TPM (Talking Points Memo) Photo Gallery Fire In The Gulf: New Pictures Of The Deepwater Horizon shows a succession of images of the oil rig fire in the Gulf.



Rachel Maddow reports on the environmental impact on the Gulf Coast wetlands by the oil rig explosion in this MSNBC video blog



TED.com features Tropical Ecologist, Jeremy Jackson, speaking about ocean health in this presentation: How We Wrecked The Ocean
The URL is:

American Bird Conservancy President, George Fenwick, is cautioning that the toll from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf may be far greater when the unseen impacts are factored into the environmental disaster (Press Release, May 4, 2010). Visit the American Bird Conservancy Web site for more information on this disaster, the efforts being made to rescue oiled birds, and what you can do to help.
The URL is: http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/oilspill.html

This reviewed and approved Encyclopedia of Earth article provides information on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill including background information, the geographic extent, attempts to stop the leak, and actions that are being taken to clean up.
The URL is: http://www.eoearth.org/article/Deepwater_Horizon_o...