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Oil for Beginners

Age range
5-7 years
Science topic
Materials
Type of enquiry
Comparative/fair tests, Grouping and classifying, Problem solving, Research/using secondary sources

The activities in this book tell a simple story of oil, beginning with its recovery from beneath the sea bed, to its use as a lubricant and fuel. They are written for use with 5-7 year olds, though can be adapted for use with other children, and can be incorporated into topic work on liquids or materials. The number of activities, and their sequence, can be varied according to the needs of the teacher, children, and areas of the curriculum being studied.

A list of the main vocabulary used in this resource which can be used to pre teach key words, support children to talk about their science, and for assessment.

Download the full resource:

Oil for Beginners Full (PDF , 2,515kb)

Oil

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Grouping and classifying
  • Keywords: oils, pollution .liquids, materials, properties of materials, everyday materials

Children’s knowledge about oil is established and they are introduced to an ‘oil rig’.

A Model Platform

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Problem solving
  • Keywords: Design & Technology, properties of materials, everyday materials, construction

Children build a model platform which must be a stable and rigid structure.

Sinking in sand

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Comparative/fair tests
  • Keywords: oil, sand, Design & Technology, properties of materials, everyday materials, construction

An investigation into the effect of the size of feet on the stability of the platform.

Hard or soft?

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Grouping and classifying
  • Keywords: Design Technology, soft , hard, materials, properties of materials, everyday materials, rocks, soil, cardboard, sand, wood

Classification of objects and materials according to their properties.

Making holes

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Comparative/fair tests
  • Keywords: soft, hard, materials, tools, recording, prediction, Design & Technology, everyday materials, properties of materials, sand, wood, plastic, cardboard

Children explore the effectiveness of a variety of tools to make holes in different materials.

Move that water!

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Comparative/fair tests
  • Keywords: water, properties of materials, everyday materials

A problem-solving approach to moving water from one place to another.

Pouring oil

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Comparative/fair tests
  • Keywords: liquids, properties of materials, everyday materials, oil, water

Children observe the ‘runniness’ of different liquids and investigate shapes for ‘oil pourers’.

So, what’s it for?

  • Science topic: Materials
  • Type of enquiry: Research/using secondary sources
  • Keywords: forces, oil, friction, materials, everyday materials, properties of materials

Children carry out a ‘squeak hunt’ in school and hinges and other squeaky things are oiled; they also observe the use of oil as a fuel.

Partners

ExxonMobil Chemical

Supported by the ExxonMobil Chemical.‎‎‎‎