Oiled Feathers, Just a Mess?
Lab to accompany webquest by Niki Kramer
OBJECTIVES/TEKS
Science
7.1a 7.1b 7.3a 7.3b 7.3c 7.3d 7.4a 7.4b 7.11b
7.11c 7.12a 7.13a
ELPS
1.a 1.c 1.f 1.g 2.c 2.e 2.h 2.i 3.d 3.e 3.g
3.j 4.g
KEY POINTS
The student will…
1. Follow and abide by lab safety rules.
2. Be introduced to proper tool usage.
3. Test contour and down feathers (oiled and clean) with a control to
record insulation properties.
4. Compare physical properties of oiled and cleaned feathers.
5. Be able to draw conclusions from the experiment.
6. Be able to document the results on a chart.
MATERIALS NEEDED
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Sandwich size zipper lock baggies
Contour and down feathers (purchased from craft store: it is illegal to
collect possess many types of bird feathers)
Small baggies of ice
Instant hand warmers or Toasti Toes
Stop watches or clock with second hand
Vegetable oil mixed with cocoa powder to imitate crude oil
Rubber gloves
PREPERATIONS
Each group of 2-3 students needs:
o 1 baggie of ice
o 1 empty zipper lock baggie for control
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o 1 baggie with several clean contour feathers
PREPARATION CONTINUED
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o
o
o
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o
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One baggie filled with oiled down feathers
One baggie with oiled contour feathers
One stop watch or one clock with second hand for whole class
Feather Observation Chart (1per student)
1 baggie filled with clean down feathers
One hand or foot warmer
Rubber gloves (1 pair per student)
LESSON
Introduction Activity:
Begin with QuestGarden.com webquest, . This webquest will guide
the students through various activities to explore the Gulf of Mexico
ecosystem and its food web. During this lab, students will be exploring the
feathers of birds and what role they play in birds’ survival. They will then be
observing the effects of oil on bird feathers. This will prepare the students
to explore and understand the reason for adaptations and biodiversity in
ecosystems. To begin the lab, hand out the Pre-Lab Questions. Have
students answer these questions individually, then gather with lab groups
and have a 5-10 minute discussion on questions.
Main Lesson:
If your students have not already learn about lab safety, then you
should teach them before you begin the activity. Gloves should be worn
when handling feathers and oil although neither are toxic or contaminated in
this experiment. They will also be working with instant hand warmers and will
be responsible for activating them and disposing of them properly.
First, explain to students that they will be making observations of down
and contour feathers when they are clean and when they are covered with
oil. Hand out the Feather Observation Chart. You may choose to review the
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parts of the chart, or lead a class discussion with students about its parts.
These include:
1. A control
2. Two types of clean feathers
3. Two types of oiled feathers
Remind students that only one person in the group may test each property of
the feathers. To simplify this process, number each student in the group.
LESSON CONTINUED
On the
observation chart are instructions indicating which group member performs
which task. Each team member is responsible for completing their own
chart.
Once the group has completed the Feather Observation Chart and
cleaned up the area properly, they may complete the Post-Lab Questions. As
before, the students should do this individually and then gather with group
for further discussion.
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EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
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Finish QuestGarden webquest,
Challenge students to develop several ideas for cleaning oiled birds (dawn
soap, kitty litter, sawdust, shampoo, etc…) Let them form hypothesis and
test.
At http://animal.discovery.com/videos/gulf-oil-spill/ you will find several
videos on the BP Oil Spill and the animal rescue efforts.
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