How is an Oil Spill cleaned up?

With the recent oil spill in the Gulf, Big Kid Scientists may be interested in understanding clean-up methods.  This exploration is adapted from "Oil Spill!" found in Picture Perfect Science Lessons by Karen Rohrich Asnberry and Emily Morgan.


Ages: Big Kid Scientists

Science Book Connection: Oil Spill! by Melvin Burger

Materials to Set up the Exploration:  Mom Scientists first need to prepare the oil for this exploration by mixing 1 tsp of powdered black tempera paint and 4 cups of vegetable oil.  Simulated oil is being used because black oil would be harmful to kid scientists.

• Newspaper to cover work surface
• 3 disposable pie plates
• 3 rocks
• 3 leafy carrot tops, celery tops, or weeds
• Pipe cleaner

Procedure to Set up the Exploration:

• Cover your work area with newspaper
• Set up the oil spill models
• Put a rock in each pie plate to represent the shore line
• Put a leafy plant in each pie plate to represent aquatic plants
• Model animals out of the pipe cleaners to represent aquatic animals, place one in each pie plate
• Fill each pie plate about half full of water
• Add 1/8 cup of simulated oil to each pan

Materials for the Exploration: plastic cups, plastic spoons & forks, yarn, nylon stocking, cotton balls, coffee filter, sand, paper towel...other materials that may aid in oil clean up

Procedure for the Exploration:

• Your job is to find out which material will remove the most oil from the oil spill model
• Select a material to test in each oil spill model
• Determine a strategy for comparing removed oil from each system
• Attempt to remove oil from each system
• What was the effect of the oil spill on the model environment?
• Which material was best for cleaning up the oil spill?  What is your evidence?