1. Fossil Fuels Formation
Make sure students are comfortable with the types of fossil fuels. Where do you find these? What are they used for? Try to spur their prior knowledge with a few simple questions.
Coal
Oil
Natural Gas
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The Story of Peat…
Millions of years ago, I had a friend named Peat.
Peat lived in a swamp, and he loved that swamp!
One day, Peat unexpectedly died and fell to the bottom of the swamp.
I was so sad. I didn’t know what to do.
Peat is actually partially decayed plant matter. The plant matter fell to the bottom of the swamp, but the mud and sediment halted the decaying process and formed peat. Clarify this important point after the stories. Peat cannot die because peat is already dead. However, the story is more memorable if it is told this way.
Have fun with this! Be enthusiastic! Really make them think that Peat was your friend. The more memorable this is, the better!
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The Story of Peat…
As time went on, sediments kept falling on Peat.
They built up so high that I couldn’t see Peat anymore.
They pressed him and pressed him. I couldn’t stand watching it.
Then, someone had the nerve to put a building on top of Peat. That was the last straw.
Inevitably, someone will bring up the fact that you could not possibly have a friend that lived millions of years ago or that you cannot dig by yourself to find coal. Have fun with it. Make them laugh. It doesn’t have to be 100% accurate!
Be enthusiastic! I loved making this into a monologue of sorts because they really got into it! Make them think that Peat was your friend. The more memorable this is, the better!
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The Story of Peat…
So finally, one day, I decided that I was going to find Peat. He was my friend after all. It was the least I could do.
I dug and dug until my hands hurt badly.
I dug for weeks until one day, I finally found the place where Peat was supposed to be.
Inevitably, someone will bring up the fact that you could not possibly have a friend that lived millions of years ago or that you cannot dig by yourself to find coal. Have fun with it. Make them laugh. It doesn’t have to be 100% accurate!
Be enthusiastic! I loved making this into a monologue of sorts because they really got into it! Make them think that Peat was your friend. The more memorable this is, the better!
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The Story of Peat…
But what did I find?
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The Story of Peat…
I found Coal!
Reinforce the fact that coal forms from peat over millions of years ago.
Also, ask students if they have millions of years to wait for coal to be replaced?
If not, then we don’t have the ability to continue using fossil fuels forever. That’s why it is a nonrenewable resource.
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Coal (Peat)
We use coal to:
Produce electricity.
Produce heat.
Make steel.
Coal is mined to extract it, or remove it from the ground.
Most coal mines are underground since the coal layers are too deep for normal digging.
Don’t get into the specifics of the different types of coal and how it’s used to produce electricity or steel. Students should just be aware of the fact that it has to be mined, and if we stop using coal, we have to find alternatives for certain things.
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The Story of Mikey…
Millions of years ago, I had a friend named Mikey.
Mikey lived in the ocean, and he loved to ride the waves!
One day, Mikey unexpectedly died and fell to the bottom of the ocean.
I was so sad. I didn’t know what to do.
Have fun with this! Be enthusiastic! Really make them think that Mikey was your friend. The more memorable this is, the better!
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The Story of Mikey…
As time went on, sediments kept falling on Mikey.
They built up so high that I couldn’t see Mikey anymore.
They pressed him and pressed him. I couldn’t stand watching it.
Then, someone had the nerve to put a factory right on top of Mikey. That was the last straw.
Inevitably, someone will bring up the fact that you could not possibly have a friend that lived millions of years ago or that you cannot dig by yourself to find oil and natural gas. Have fun with it. Make them laugh. It doesn’t have to be 100% accurate!
Be enthusiastic! I loved making this into a monologue of sorts because they really got into it! Make them think that Mikey was your friend. The more memorable this is, the better!
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The Story of Mikey…
So finally, one day, I decided that I was going to find Mikey. He was my friend after all. It was the least I could do.
I put on my scuba gear, and I dug and dug until my hands hurt badly.
I dug for weeks until one day, I finally found the place where Mikey was supposed to be.
Inevitably, someone will bring up the fact that you could not possibly have a friend that lived millions of years ago or that you cannot dig by yourself to find oil and natural gas. Have fun with it. Make them laugh. It doesn’t have to be 100% accurate!
Be enthusiastic! I loved making this into a monologue of sorts because they really got into it! Make them think that Mikey was your friend. The more memorable this is, the better!
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The Story of Mikey…
But what did I find?
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The Story of Mikey…
I found Oil &
Natural Gas!
Reinforce the fact that oil and natural gas form from dead microscopic organisms over millions of years.
Also, ask students if they have millions of years to wait for oil and natural gas to be replaced?
If not, then we don’t have the ability to continue using fossil fuels forever. That’s why it is a nonrenewable resource.
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13. Oil & Natural Gas (Mikey)
We use oil to produce:
gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel.
asphalt roads.
various plastics and synthetic materials.
We use natural gas to produce:
energy for cooking and heating homes.
plastics and chemicals.
Wells are drilled to extract oil and natural gas from the ground.
Oil is used in many of the items we use. Everything from sunglasses, heart valves and shampoos all have some form of petroleum within them. However, reinforce the fact that oil is a fossil fuel so we must find other alternatives before the oil supply runs out.
Natural gas is used in most peoples’ homes today. Gas stoves, gas fireplaces and gas heaters are very common. Industry uses natural gas as inputs in the process of producing many different materials. Even some vehicles use natural gas today.
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14. Fossil Fuels Formation Animation
Use this link to show the formation of fossil fuels. You can switch between coal formation and oil & natural gas formation. You may even want to tell the stories while showing students the animations.
Note: You must have Flash Player installed to use this link. Google Chrome most likely will not work.
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