teaching resource

Oil Spill Experiment

Updated: 31 Oct 2023

Investigate water pollution and discover the effects of oil spills on wildlife with a hands-on oil spill experiment

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 5 Pages
Grades: 2 - 6

Curriculum

S.2.11.B

Describe how human impact can be limited by making choices to conserve and properly dispose of materials such as reducing use of, reusing , or recycling paper, plastic, and metal.
S.3.1.B

Use scientific practices to plan and conduct descriptive investigations and use engineering practices to design solutions to problems
S.4.6.C

Demonstrate that matter is conserved when mixtures such as soil and water or oil and water are formed.
S.4.11.A

Identify and explain advantages and disadvantages of using Earth's renewable and nonrenewable natural resources such as wind, water, sunlight, plants, animals, coal, oil, and natural gas
S.5.1.B

Use scientific practices to plan and conduct descriptive and simple experimental investigations and use engineering practices to design solutions to problems
S.5.11

Design and explain solutions such as conservation, recycling, or proper disposal to minimize environmental impact of the use of natural resources.

teaching resource

Oil Spill Experiment

Updated: 31 Oct 2023

Investigate water pollution and discover the effects of oil spills on wildlife with a hands-on oil spill experiment

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 5 Pages
Grades: 2 - 6

Investigate water pollution and discover the effects of oil spills on wildlife with a hands-on oil spill experiment

🌎How to Clean Up an Oil Spill — Experiment Booklet

Use this Oil Spill experiment to support your science lesson. This printable oil spill cleanup experiment booklet can be used to guide your students through a fun oil spill experiment they can even try at home with their families. In this oil spill science experiment, students will create an oil spill and determine the best way to clean it up. They will also investigate the effects of crude oil on the environment and wildlife in the area.

The Perfect Water Pollution Experiment!

This printable workbook guides students through the water pollution experiment, having them organise and record their observations and hypotheses throughout the activity. It includes a materials list, data recording sheets, and a reading passage to help students complete the experiment. Students will complete the following tasks.

Create and/or cause an oil spill using vegetable oil.
Identify materials and resources that will/will not prove effective in cleaning up oily water.
Observe and attempt to remove oil from the water source in different ways.
Observe the effect of water pollution and oil spills on marine life.

photo showing water pollution experiment or oil spill experiment with feathers

Through this activity, students will show how to analyse, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations using experimental and observational testing.

This is a great Earth Day science lesson!

Easily Prepare This Oil Spill Science Experiment for Your Students

Use the Download button to download the Oil Spill Science Experiment PDF or Google Slides file. Print, copy, and prep your experiment materials in advance! We recommend printing each student or group of students a workbook. This experiment works well in small groups of 3-4 students.

More Engaging Water Pollution Activities for the Classroom

Don’t stop there! We’ve got even more Water Pollution Activities for the classroom. Make sure you check these out before you go!

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Teach your students ways to save water with a printable poster and worksheet pack.

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Ocean Pollution Art Activity

Inspire discussions about ocean pollution and environmental impact with an Earth Day art project.

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Earth Watch: Drowning in Plastic - Comprehension Worksheet

Practice reading comprehension skills and learn about microplastic pollution in our oceans with a reading comprehension activity.

Curriculum

S.2.11.B

Describe how human impact can be limited by making choices to conserve and properly dispose of materials such as reducing use of, reusing , or recycling paper, plastic, and metal.
S.3.1.B

Use scientific practices to plan and conduct descriptive investigations and use engineering practices to design solutions to problems
S.4.6.C

Demonstrate that matter is conserved when mixtures such as soil and water or oil and water are formed.
S.4.11.A

Identify and explain advantages and disadvantages of using Earth's renewable and nonrenewable natural resources such as wind, water, sunlight, plants, animals, coal, oil, and natural gas
S.5.1.B

Use scientific practices to plan and conduct descriptive and simple experimental investigations and use engineering practices to design solutions to problems
S.5.11

Design and explain solutions such as conservation, recycling, or proper disposal to minimize environmental impact of the use of natural resources.

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