∑You will need to research some recent oil spills, and their effects on ecosystems. Mr Trump would like to know whether or not oil spills are as dangerous to the environment as some people think.

The board will be interested in seeing which methods of clean up have worked in the past. Also, you will need to tell them which methods did not work to clean up the oil spills.

The challenge that you face is that while Mr Trump would like to be able to clean up oil spills quickly and cheaply, he also does not want to harm the local ecosystems as this clean up is taking place.

As Team Leader, you'll need to choose to complete one of the following two tasks:

A] make a presentation to the board on the best ways to clean the ecosystem,

OR

B] build a diorama showing a cleanup of the arctic ecosystem.

Part A:
Your teacher will lead you in conducting an experiment on what is the easiest way to clean up an oil spill.
Fill out the Experiment - Student Sheet to help you to understand the experiment.
Click on the links in the RESOURCES section of this page below to help you.

Part B:
Examine the Exxon Valdez oil spill by reviewing the links provided in the RESOURCES section of this web page. Complete Activity 1 (5 page PDF document). Remember to check with your teacher before printing.

Part C:
Research the Canadian Arctic ecosytem.
Use the links in the RESOURCES section to help you. Also, search your school library for books and encyclopedias. Be sure to write down the sources you have used!
Complete Activity 2 (You can print this too).

Once you think you understand the assignment that Mr Trump has given you, decide on the method you will use to present this information to him and the board.

Option 1:

With a partner, build a diorama of an arctic ecosystem, showing the best ways you have learned to clean up an oil spill. There are two websites listed in the RESOURCES section of this website to help you.

To build your model, you can use things found in your home, such as:

• A large shoebox, or small cardboard box (to hold the diorama)
• Plasticine
• Clay
• Sand/Dirt
• Tinfoil
• Styrofoam
• Pinecones/leaves/twigs
• Paper/Cardboard.

Your model should be no larger than 30 cm by 30 cm in size. Remember, you will be creating a Canadian Arctic diorama, showing how to clean an oil spill. Check out the RESOURCES section below for links on how to clean an oil spill.

Click on the link below to see and print the rubric for this option:
Rubric - Oral Presentation

Or you can choose...

Option 2:
With a partner, prepare a dramatic presentation for the board using posters, charts, graphs, overheads or digital presentation to show the board the ways you found to clean up a spill.

Your presentation must be 2-4 minutes in length, and have visual aids (posters, charts, pictures, banners, etc). Since you are presenting to the board, you may dress "professionally", in character. Be sure to include some examples of Arctic wildlife that might be found in Canada's Arctic ecosystems.

Remember, your duty is to convince Mr Trump and the board that they can easily clean up oil spills, especially those in the Canadian Arctic.

Click on the link below to see and print the rubric for this option:
Rubric - Ecosystem Diorama

These websites will help you with Activity 1.

www.valdezscience.com

http://library.thinkquest.org/10867/intro/index.shtml

Oil and Water Don't Mix Activity

Activity: Oil and Water Don't Mix!

Fix-A-Slick! Simulation Game (17 Scenarios takes 30-60 minutes to complete)


Arctic Ecosystems:

Arctic Studies Centre Website
Click on the tabs Birds, Mammals and Sea Mammals at the top of this page. Explore the wildlife and fill in Activity Sheet 2

Environment Canada Website
Click on Arctic Ecosystems in the left menu. Use your map of Canada to draw and colour the Arctic Ecosystem.

How to prepare a good presentation

http://www.aresearchguide.com/3tips.html
http://www.impactfactory.com/
Here are 12 tips to help you prepare for presentations...
http://www.elise.com/web/a/public_speaking_tips.php

How to build an Arctic diorama HERE:

http://www.schools.ash.org.au/elanorah/arctplan.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_12761_make-diorama.html

Knowledge
1. How difficult was it to clean the oil spill in the bowl?
2. What were some of the ways that oil spills are cleaned in real life?
3. How was the ecosystem at Prince William Sound affected after the Exxon Valdez spill?

Thinking
1. There are no easy ways to clean spills that occur in the ocean. What suggestions would you make to oil companies to prevent oil spills from happening?

Extension
1. Find out what happens to companies that let oil spills be caused on purpose.
2. Look up other distasters that have been caused by humans, such as the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster.
3. What disasters have occured in Ontario in the last twenty years? Where did they occur?
4. Ask your teacher if you can explore the website www.careercruising.com. Here you can research careers that work with ocean animals or environmental cleanup, such as Marine Biologists.

Communicating
1. Who is the member of parliament for your area? Write a letter to your member of parliament to tell him/her about whether you think oil spill management is important to Canada.
2. With your teacher's permission, start a website (or add to your school's website) about what we can do to save ecosystems in our own area.

If you are interested in learning more about this subject matter, you can find related hyperlinks at Student Links 2 on the LDCSB "Intranet" Website.

* Note: This link is not licensed for home use by students

List here the sources of any images, music or text that you're using (with permission, of course). Provide links back to the original source. Say thanks to anyone who provided resources, help or inspiration.

List any books and other analog media that you used as source information as well.