The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (Disaster Stories)
Black sheep: disaster stories Series
What’s inside...
On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded, leading to the biggest offshore oil spill ever in the United States. The explosion was visible for 35 miles! Readers will watch workers struggle to stop the spill and save ocean life in this exciting illustrated title.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-13
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What emotions did you feel when learning about the effects of the oil spill on marine life?
Why do you think it's important for people to know about environmental disasters like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?
How can we as individuals help prevent such disasters in the future?
What would you tell a friend about this book and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting, find out what your child already knows about oil spills or environmental disasters to build on their current understanding.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the disaster's impact on wildlife and nature, validating their emotions and highlighting the importance of empathy.
Discuss the importance of responsibility and teamwork in preventing and managing disasters, relating it to everyday actions we can take to protect our environment.
Use visuals from the book or other sources to help your child understand the scale and impact of the disaster more concretely.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Environmental Responsibility
Explanation: The story of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill educates about the environmental impact of human error and negligence, highlighting the devastation caused to marine life and ecosystems.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be mindful of their actions towards nature, understanding the importance of preserving the environment by engaging in recycling and conservation practices.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Problem-Solving
Explanation: The book discusses the efforts of various experts and teams working together to manage and eventually contain the oil spill, showing the power of collaboration in solving big problems.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to work cooperatively in group settings, whether in school projects or community services, emphasizing that teamwork can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Accountability and Responsibility
Explanation: The narrative explores the consequences of the oil spill on various stakeholders, including the company responsible for the spill, stressing the need for taking responsibility for one’s actions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by owning up to their mistakes and learning from them, fostering a sense of responsibility in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: The aftermath of the disaster and the recovery efforts show resilience, as communities and ecosystems gradually bounced back over time.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of perseverance and resilience in face of challenges, inspiring them to stay determined during difficult times in their lives.
Example Lesson: Science and Technology
Explanation: The use of scientific methods and technology in mitigating the oil spill is detailed, underlining the importance of STEM education.
Real-World Application: This can spark an interest in science and technology among children, encouraging them to explore these subjects more deeply and possibly pursue them in future academic or career paths.