What Is Oil Really Like?
Adapted from 4th R Recycling Curriculum, by San Francisco Recycling Program, San
Francisco, CA
Back to Trash Goes to School
GRADE LEVELS: 4-6
SUBJECT AREAS: science
CONCEPT: What are the properties of motor oil and what effect does oil have on the
environment.
OBJECTIVE: To discover the properties in motor oil and see how it reacts when it is put in
contact with other natural resources such as water, soil, and plants.
MATERIALS:
* motor oil in 35mm film container (caution: could be harmful if improperly
handled)
* jars of water
* ceramic bowls with soil in them
* small plants in pot
* feathers
KEYWORDS: oil, properties
BACKGROUND: Millions of gallons of used motor oil are drained from family cars and
disposed of each year. The oil is dumped into storm drains, on vacant lots, and into trash
cans. This is an incredible waste of a potentially useful resource that is becoming increasingly
scarce and expensive. When improperly disposed, oil can have negative environmental and
health effects.
PROCEDURE:
Explain that in this lesson we will discover the properties of oil (what oil is like and what it
does when it is used with other things). We will do three experiments. We want to observe
what oil does when it comes in contact with water, soil, and plants. Divide the children into
small groups. Each group should record their observations regarding:
1. oil with water
2. oil with soil
3. oil with plants
4. oil with animals (bird feathers)
Have each group choose a secretary to record the observations. Each group receives a small
film canister with oil, a jar with water, a bowl of soil, and a seedling or plant.
Discuss the findings. Elicit summaries of the students' observations, and post them on the
board. After a week, the OIL WITH PLANTS experiment will be completed. Add those
findings to the dittoes posted on the board.
FOLLOW-UP: Discuss the following questions:
* How many of you have family cars? Have you seen people adding oil to their cars at the
curbside? Have you seen empty cans of oil in the gutter?
* What happens to motor oil when you pour it on the ground, in the sewer, or in the trash
can?
* How can we solve the used oil problem? How can we keep used motor oil out of the
environment?
* Will your local gas station or recycling center accept used oil?
If they don't, why not?
How can you convince them to recycle used motor oil?
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