Oil Slick Cleanup

This simple experiment models an oil spill in water and lets students test different cleanup methods. By trying cotton balls, paper towels, spoons, and soap, kids can see firsthand why oil spills are so damaging and how cleanup methods work.

1. Fill a tin pan halfway with water.
2. Pour in a small amount of vegetable oil to simulate an oil spill. Observe how the oil floats.
3. Try cleaning it up using cotton balls, paper towels, a spoon, or a medicine dropper. Which works best?
4. Add a few drops of dish soap and watch how it breaks the oil apart into smaller droplets.

Demonstration: Oil Spill Cleanup - Arizona Science Center:

📄 Easy Oil Spill Experiment - Little Bins for Little Hands: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/oil-spill-experiment/

1. Add blue food coloring to the water to make it look more like the ocean.
2. Use a sponge, cheesecloth, or a fine mesh strainer as extra cleanup tools.
3. Create a timed challenge: give groups of students 3 minutes to remove as much oil as possible.

1. Use vegetable oil, not motor oil, for safety.
2. Clean spills immediately to avoid slippery surfaces.
3. Wash hands after the activity, especially after handling oil and soap.

• Why does oil float on top of water instead of mixing in?
• Which cleanup method worked best and why?
• How does dish soap break up the oil?
• What happens to animals when they are covered in oil?