Oil Spill Experiment

Objectives: SWBAT- Correctly list the scientific order of experimental questioning.
           - Realize the importance the making a hypothesis and then     following through to the end results.
           - Defend their hypothesis with scientific facts.
           - Distinguish between materials that absorb well and those               that do not.
           - Work together as a team.

Materials: 5 Groups, each group needs;  1 eye dropper, 1 cup of cotton balls, 1 spoon,        and 6 plastic cups. A foil try to contain some of the mess and individual           timers are helpful. Experimenting with cleaning oil spills work sheet.

Procedure: Explain how scientists make educated guesses about things that they observe and how there is a certain procedure that they always follow. Problem or question, hypothesis or best guess, collecting data and making observations, and conclusions and generalizations.
 Children should work in coop. groups with a timer, supply person, a scooper, a siphoner, and a soaker, everyone should record all results.
 Tell children that there are three ways to remove oil from water, scooping, siphoning, and soaking up.
 As a group, have the kids come up with the question to be tested. Try to guide them towards, “Which is the quickest way to absorb oil out of water?”
 Let the kids go at it.
Closure: Come back together as a whole. Write times on a graph on the board. Try to come to an agreement as to which is the  fastest and best way to clean up oil.
Tell students which way the experts say is the best.

Assessment: Checking their science journals for accuracy in making observations and following the correct order of procedures.