Perdido students study environment

By Gerri McDoland / Perdido School
Posted 1/24/18

PERDIDO, Alabama — Teaching students to not only be aware of the human impact on the environment, but inspiring them to be a part of the solution is vital to our future on this planet. For this …

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Perdido students study environment

Posted

PERDIDO, Alabama — Teaching students to not only be aware of the human impact on the environment, but inspiring them to be a part of the solution is vital to our future on this planet. For this reason, Jill Jones’ fifth grade science class conducted a fun, hands-on activity that simulated an oil spill and challenged the students to clean up the simulated disaster.

The first step required students to research the three primary methods for oil spill cleanup: absorbing, skimming, and dispersants. Next, each group of students was given a variety of materials such as felt, napkins, cotton balls, string, straws and spoons.

Working cooperatively, they brainstormed a variety of ways they could use the materials to construct an instrument which could be used to clean the oil spill. Each group then built their best idea and tested it out in their own oil spill. Groups judged the effectiveness of their instruments by examining the amount of oil remaining after their tests.