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Oil Spill In Action

Activity

Test Different Methods for Cleaning Up Our Oceans

Learn about oil spills and the effect that they have on marine ecosystems. Create your own oil spill simulation and try to clean it up with household materials. How easily do you think the oil will separate? Fill a container, like an aluminum pie plate, with water, salt and oil (any oil that you have will work and you can add food coloring for fun!). Using household materials, such as straws, cotton balls, detergent, dixie cups, feathers, fake fur, etc. try to remove the oil from the water. Get creative with what you use! Observe the reaction that the oil has to the different materials. Does it spread out? Can the oil be contained in a small space? What happens when a feather is used? What might this tell us about the effects of oil spills on birds? Did you find a material that absorbs oil quickly that might be useful in removing oil from the water?

Science Seed

Most people use oil for cars, to make every type of plastic, and even to create the fabric used in athletic wear. Oil is often extracted from the ocean floor and then carried in ships or huge pipes to where it is made into all of the different forms that people use in toys, clothing, straws, bags, and countless other products. Oil can spill during transportation or drilling and cause catastrophic damage to ecosystems and animals. Oil destroys the water repellency of bird feathers and the insulating ability of mammals, such as otters, making it very difficult for animals to stay warm in the water, which is important for survival. Oil contains poisonous chemicals that can cause serious illness or death if they are inhaled, swallowed or touched. During an oil spill there is usually a rehabilitation center set up to help animals that need it. The Texas coast has several animal rescue locations. Even though oil spills are dangerous and very damaging, engineers are creating new technology and are making strides in finding innovative new clean up solutions.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

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join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

This project was made possible by HEB.