Extreme Oil: Exploring the History of Oil

In this lesson, students will examine the role oil has played throughout human history, how that role has changed over time, and the repercussions of oil use on society and the environment. After brainstorming a list of oil's current uses, students will examine an online timeline to explore how its role has changed over the course of history. Then, utilizing another dynamic online resource, students will complete an in-depth analysis of oil's current and historic applications in the home, in industry, in medicine, and in transportation. Finally, through the use of the PBS series Extreme Oil, students will examine the environmental impact of the oil industry, and decide whether or not they support an expansion of oil drilling operations into the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

This lesson is correlated to National History content standards.