Choose one of the Bell Ringers provided to display for students to answer.
Science of Oil
Summary
This comprehensive Science of Oil lesson plan is designed for high school students, offering an in-depth exploration of oil, from its geologic formation to its modern-day use and impact. The resource includes tiered bell ringer prompts, a vocabulary list and video quiz, differentiated reading packets, a quantitative computation activity comparing the emissions of different travel methods, and a data analysis exercise on global oil production. The lesson culminates in an advanced lab where students design an experiment to test the factors that influence oil formation.
Activities
Video
Play this short video on oil to spark curiosity and encourage thoughtful discussion.
Vocabulary + Quiz
Have students review the vocabulary terms, watch the video, and answer the questions in the quiz.
Reading
Have students read the info sheet on the Science of Oil and answer the comprehension questions.
Extended Reading
Have students read the extended info sheet on the Science of Oil and answer the comprehension and application questions.
Computation
Have students compare travel options using real-world data and computation to decide which one is the most cost-effective and environmentally responsible.
Data Set
Have students analyze an oil production data chart and answer questions. Review key terms, then discuss trends as a class.
Hands On - Teacher Guide
Download this teacher guide to walk students through designing an experiment to simulate how temperature, pressure, and time might affect oil formation.
Hands On - Student Guide
Use this handout with students to design an experiment to simulate how temperature, pressure, and time might affect oil formation.
Teacher Guide
Download this teacher guide that serves as a walkthrough with answers for the Science of Oil lesson.
Answer Key
This short document provides answers to key activities in the Science of Oil lesson.
Downloadables