April 22

[note: cancelled Monday’s class because of NARST]

Oil spill activity (need pans, water, colored oil, string, cotton, paper towel, detergent, wax paper, spoons):
Predict what will happen when the oil is added to the water?
What actually happened?
Use the string as a “boom” to contain the oil, then a spoon to try to remove the oil from the water. Does it work? What happened?
Use the cotton ball to remove the oil from the water. Does it work? What happened?
Use the paper towel to remove the oil from the water. Does it work? What happened?
Use wax paper to remove the oil from the water. Does it work? What happened?
Predict what will happen when liquid detergent is added to the oil and water mixture?
What actually happened when the detergent was added?
What problems did you have with each material?
How do you think these clean-up methods would work in rough seas? Cold weather? Near a beach? (opt.: Experiment to find out.)
Why do you think oil always floats on top of the water?

Students should collect plant data and water plants … Need to think through how to share data and keep it as objective as possible. I’m suggesting students measure plant height by measuring stretched stem height, based on what folks said before.

Discuss LTRP progress? Due in ~2 weeks …

OPT: Howard article on oil spill activity.