A NEW kit has been launched for Scottish schoolchildren to get to grips with the science behind the oil and gas industry.
Hydrocarbons in Action has been created by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry and designed to help upper primary school clubs investigate oil and gas exploration and production through a range of hands-on experiments.
It has been so popular that the 2011 kits have all already been allocated but schools now have chance to submit a request for one of the 2012 tranche of kits.
Midmar Primary School in Sauchen, Aberdeenshire, is among the first schools to receive one of the kits.
Head teacher Liz Shepherd said: “The children have loved the hands-on experiments so they are learning but enjoying it.”
The kit can also bring in other areas of the curriculum, she said, including maths, geography and languages.
But it is also tied into the industry so children can see how it relates to reality.
One experiment, which involves a seismic survey kit, helps them see how oil is found but also the costs involved, even if it is not found.
Children’s parents, including geologists, have also been able to get involved.
“It is moving science and technology in to the practical and then going back and thinking more about the science,” she said.
“The children didn’t think about the other uses of oil much. This has given them the knowledge of how oil is used in other ways and why maybe as a world we are cutting back on plastics.”
Each kit contains equipment for eight different experiments: seismic exploration, sounding for oil; earth sciences, core sampling and contour maps; rock analysis, porosity and absorbency; soil analysis, soil profiling; mineral analysis, mineral identification; subsea exploration, build a madlab rov; crude oil analysis, investigate the viscosity of liquids and products made from oil, make plastic.
It also has a DK Eyewitness Oil book, BP Science Skills DVD and an additional DVD with experiment notes, extension ideas and links to online-based games and resources.
To make sure the children make the best use of their kits, schools science clubs who receive one are also challenged to submit a portfolio of their investigations and to build a model of an oil platform.
The best projects will be invited to showcase at the annual celebration of engineering and science in Glasgow in June, when prizes will be awarded.
The project has been helped with funding from OPITO and project support from BP and the Scottish Oil Club.
Young Engineers and Science Clubs across Scotland are able to apply for a free kit.
For more information contact Melanie Riddell at melanie.riddell@scdi.org.uk.