Oil+Spill+Clean+Up

In Science for a lesson that shows how humans can effect the environment we discussed oil spills. We watched a few videos on youtube and talked about how difficult it is clean up the shoreline after a oil spill. We made a mini-shoreline in terrariums and put sand, rocks, water, feathers, and fur inside. I showed the class how the outer edge of a feather is waterproof by dipping it in a glass of water and having them feel that it was still dry. We discussed why this protective layer is important to birds so they stay warm and can fly. Then I dumped some motor oil into each group's terrarium. They had to write a paragraph about how they planned to clean the spill during the next class time. The following day, they got to work right away cleaning their shorelines. Did they get all the oil? Sadly no. There was still a lot of oil trapped in the rocks, fur, and feathers. The feathers are no longer waterproof, even after the cleaning.