New oil spill curriculum for grades K-12 now available

Whittier students participate in a lesson from the 2014 oil spill curriculum.
Whittier students participate in a lesson from the 2014 oil spill curriculum.

The council is happy to unveil a newly revised version of the K-12 Oil Spill Curriculum! Lessons are easily downloaded from our website: 2014 Alaska Oil Spill Curriculum

During the past year, the council’s Information and Education Committee worked with professional environmental educator and Homer resident Katie Gavenus to revise the K-12 Oil Spill Curriculum. Lessons in the revised curriculum integrate science, social studies, math, and language arts for students in the Exxon Valdez oil spill region and beyond. Lessons are hands-on and use an inquiry-based approach. 

The curriculum was first created in 1990 in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and has gone through multiple revisions since then. At that time, lessons were geared towards students who had experienced the spill firsthand. 25 years later, that perspective has changed. This curriculum is designed for students who may have never experienced an oil spill. Students will learn how our marine environment functions and the importance of preventing oil spills of all sizes.

If you have any questions about the revised curriculum or would like a copy of lessons on a thumb drive, please contact Lisa Matlock at 907.277.7222.

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