Students will explore the properties of oil through an oil viscosity investigation. They will hypothesize, experiment, collect data, graph, average, and finally draw conclusions about oil. Through video, pictures, teacher demonstrations, materials found on the Internet, the students will be draw conclusions on how oil has changed our everyday lives. Next, in cooperative groups the students will research oil and the discovery of oil in Pennsylvania. The unit will then be summarized by students presenting their research findings orally and in writing.

Objectives

1. Find and locate Venango County. Then locate Titusville on a map. 2. Investigate the properties of oil through experimentation. 3. Hypothesize, collect data, and analyze their results with oil experimentation. 4. Draw conclusions about oil and its viscosity. 5. Research the topic of oil using the Internet and library. 6. Orally present their findings to the class using visuals if possible. 7. Write a one-page essay on what life would be like without oil. 8. Compare and contrast how oil has changed people's lives.

Standards Alignment

• Economics
  
  6.2.6. B. Describe the cost and benefits of competition to customers in markets.
  6.4.6. D. Explain how the locations of resources, transportation and communication networks and technology have affected Pennsylvania economic patterns.
  
  
• Geography
  
  7.1.6. A. Describe geographic tools and their uses.
  
  
• History
  
  8.1.3. A. Understand chronological thinking and distinguish between past, present, and future time.
  8.1.3. A. Understand chronological thinking and distinguish between past, present, and future time.
  8.1.3. C. Understand fundamentals of historical interpretation.
  8.2.3. A. Understand the political and cultural contributions of individuals and groups to Pennsylvania.
  8.2.3. C. Identify and describe how continuity and change have influenced Pennsylvania history.
  
  
• Mathematics
  
  2.4.5. B. Use models, number facts, properties and relationships to check and verify predictions and explain reasoning.
  2.4.5. C. Draw inductive and deductive conclusions within mathematical contexts.
  2.4.5. F. Use statistics to quantify issues.
  2.6.5. A. Organize and display data using pictures, tallies, tables, charts, bar graphs and circle graphs.
  
  
• Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening
  
  1.1.5. A. Establish the purpose for reading a type of text (literature, information) before reading.
  1.2.5. A. Read and understand essential content of informational texts and documents in all academic areas.
  1.5.5. B. Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
  1.6.5. A. Listen to others.
  1.6.5. C. Speak using skills appropriate to formal speech situations.
  1.8.5. B. Locate information using appropriate sources and strategies.
  1.8.5. C. Organize and present the main ideas from research.
  
  
• Science and Technology
  
  3.2.4. C. Recognize and use the elements of scientific inquiry to solve problems.
  3.4.4. A. Recognize basic concepts about the structure and properties of matter.
  3.8.4. B. Know how human ingenuity and technological resources satisfy specific human needs and improve the quality of life.