http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_enveng/cub_enveng_lesson01.xmllessontext/xml Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, Exxon Valdezoil spillenvironmental engineeringcleanupdensitypollutionwatersolubilityoileffectsenvironmentBiodegradationBioremediationDenseDensityDispersantsSolubility

This lesson will allow students to explore an important role of environmental engineers: cleaning the environment. Students will learn details about the Exxon Valdez oil spill, which was one of the most publicized and studied environmental tragedies in history. In the accompanying activity, they will try many “engineered” strategies to clean up their own manufactured oil spill and learn the difficulties of dealing with oil released into our waters.

When oil spills occur, environmental engineers help clean them up. They determine which type(s) of cleanup method is best for different situations by examining the weather patterns of the area, the type of oil spilled, and what living creatures and natural environments are being affected by the spill. Their efforts, plus those of many rescue workers, help restore a habitat after such a disaster occurs. Explain an oil spill in terms of density of a liquid.Relate oil spills to an environment’s ability to provide food, water, space and essential nutrients for its inhabitants. Describe one oil spill event in history and use numbers to understand the magnitude of the spill. Describe some technologies used by environmental engineers to cleanup an oil spill.50TeachEngineering.orgSharon D. Perez-SuarezMelissa StratenMalinda Schaefer ZarskeJanet Yowellhttp://www.evostc.state.ak.us/facts/index.htmlhttp://response.restoration.noaa.gov/kids/spills.htmlS1141718International_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyE. Technologies can be used to repair damage caused by natural disasters and to break down waste from the use of various products and systems. 68S11425ABColoradoSciencec. Identify problems, and propose solutions related to water quality, circulation, and distribution - both locally and worldwide 66S11425ACColoradoScienced. Identify the various causes and effects of water pollution in local and world water distributions 66S11426DCColoradoMathb. Model linear situations using tables and graphs, and convert between these two representations 66S114276DColoradoMathc. Select and use appropriate units to accurately measure length, weight, capacity and time in problem-solving situations 66United StatesCopyright 2012 - Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulderhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2010-08-236Teacher