4th grade science learning about fossil fuels

[Rodent + 1,424]

just received a note home about my fourth grader's science curriculum this term. 

here is one of the six "big ideas" they will be learning about. 

"Determine how the use of fossil fuels affects the shape of the land and environment."

one of the other Big Ideas they are learning about is how living things affect the physical characteristics of their regions. 

seems a bit young for that, no? I wonder where they get their info from ... 

so much I already have to undo what my children are being taught.

[Tom Kirkman + 8,860]

First 3 chapters of OPEC Children's Book is actually very good for explaining hydrocarbons to kids. 

But discard chapter 4 and onwards as corny OPEC propaganda (hint, OPEC saves the world from eeeeevil Western oil companies and governments).

[Rodent + 1,424]

14 minutes ago, Tom Kirkman said:

First 3 chapters of OPEC Children's Book is actually very good for explaining hydrocarbons to kids. 

But discard chapter 4 and onwards as corny OPEC propaganda (hint, OPEC saves the world from eeeeevil Western oil companies and governments).

my guess is that OPEC is not the author of my child's 4th grade science curriculum. Greenpeace maybe...

[Tom Kirkman + 8,860]

Greenprotest might be a more accurate name.

[Justin Hicks + 162]

In Oklahoma, we have the OERB, ( Oklahoma Energy Resources Board) it was originally founded to clean up abandoned well sites at no cost to landowners.

Now in addition to cleanup, the OERB give STEM grants to schools, elementary thru high schools, helping fund science and math programs and donating money and curriculum for educators.

It's a really special deal, and it allows some of us to come in and teach kids about the oil and gas industry, our particular jobs and basic science and geology.

Kids and educators alike really benefit from programs like this

[Marina Schwarz + 1,576]

We had the following conversation with my first-grader in the car recently.

FG: What's oil? (Can't remember what made her ask, I was probably ranting about oil and the price of gasoline)

Me: It's what gasoline is made from and our car runs on gasoline. You remember that, right? Lots of stuff is made from it.

GF: Really? Like what?

Both parents: See here? The glove compartment, pretty much the whole inside of the car, and the paint, probably. And the wheels, more likely than not. Plastics and resins, resins and plastics.

GF: So we're sitting in a car made of oil?

Me (hugely impressed): You said it.

@Rodent, they're never too young for the truth, *evil laughter*

[Dan Warnick + 6,100]

7 hours ago, Rodent said:

just received a note home about my fourth grader's science curriculum this term. 

here is one of the six "big ideas" they will be learning about. 

"Determine how the use of fossil fuels affects the shape of the land and environment."

one of the other Big Ideas they are learning about is how living things affect the physical characteristics of their regions. 

seems a bit young for that, no? I wonder where they get their info from ... 

so much I already have to undo what my children are being taught.

Last term at our son's school they took them on a field trip (Yeah!  I love field trips!) to an army base.  Ok, I guess.

This term they took them on a field trip (Yeah!  I love field trips!) to the morgue.  Umm.......

First to the military base with all the really cool big guns and soldiers; and then to the morgue.  Makes sense, I guess?

🚑 

[Tom Kirkman + 8,860]

So now I'm curious where the field trip will go to next year.

[Dan Warnick + 6,100]

27 minutes ago, Tom Kirkman said:

So now I'm curious where the field trip will go to next year.

No kidding!  Crematorium, I'm guessing.

[DA? + 301]

9 hours ago, Rodent said:

just received a note home about my fourth grader's science curriculum this term. 

here is one of the six "big ideas" they will be learning about. 

"Determine how the use of fossil fuels affects the shape of the land and environment."

one of the other Big Ideas they are learning about is how living things affect the physical characteristics of their regions. 

seems a bit young for that, no? I wonder where they get their info from ... 

so much I already have to undo what my children are being taught.

Never underestimate what children are capable of given the opportunity.

[Mike Marcellus + 157]

20 hours ago, Rodent said:

I already have to undo what my children are being taught.

Just remind them to ask Why?  

Why is this important to know? 

A healthy skepticism with an equally open mind,  as Paris Hilton used to say, "that's hot"

[Mike Marcellus + 157]

12 hours ago, Dan Warnick said:

So now I'm curious where the field trip will go to next year.

Recycling center?

[Dan Warnick + 6,100]

16 minutes ago, Mike Marcellus said:

Just remind them to ask Why?  

Why is this important to know? 

A healthy skepticism with an equally open mind,  as Paris Hilton used to say, "that's hot"

Paris Hilton 😃