Lesson Plan

5. Discover how grease is dealt with in water

N22_KS3_05

Intent

Lesson Outcomes

  • Learn about the impact of how fats and oils collect inside the sewers
  • How to prevent fat, oils and grease blocking sewers
  • Discover the environmental impact and what you can do about it

National Curriculum

  • Earth as a source of limited resources and the efficacy of recycling
  • The production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the impact on climate
  • L1 – Pupils learn study, organisational, research and presentation skills
  • L3 – Pupils learn to set realistic yet ambitious targets and goals

Working Scientifically

  • Present observations and data using appropriate methods, including tables and graphs

Resources

Resources: Glass jam jars (with secure lids if you want to shake them), Jug of water, Vegetable oil, Dishwashing detergent, Food colouring, Small container, Syringes or pipettes, A cloth for accidental spills, Optional: Table salt

Handout: Investigation method:

  1. Pour one cup of water into your glass jam jar.
  2. Pour half a cup of vegetable oil on top of the water in the jar.
  3. Stop and observe. Does the oil mix with the water? Screw the lid onto the jar and shake it…. can you make the oil and water mix? Ask pupils “Is the vegetable oil more or less dense than the water?”
  4. Mix a generous squirt of dishwashing detergent with some food colouring in the separate small container.
  5. Using a syringe squirt some coloured detergent into your oil and water filled jar.
  6. Watch what happens, you should see a lava lamp like affect with bubbles of colour falling through the mixture. Repeat this progress as many times as you like.
  7. If you would like to see a different reaction try pouring a teaspoon of salt into the mixture and watch what happens.
  8. How will you dispose of these liquids without polluting?

Rocket words

  • pollution
  • residue
  • blockage
  • compost
  • manhole

Implementation

Starter

Show the video clip and ask pupils to discuss what they think the film of the grease ball shows. Ask pupils to discuss how they think grease in our water builds up.

Main Teaching

Pupils complete a model exercise to observe how oil behaves when it is mixed with water. Ask pupils to record their observations and comment how the experiment is comparable to what happens in our sewers.

Once pupils have completed the investigation create an education advert to promote the impact of grease on our sewers. Ask pupils to identify what they can do to avoid throwing grease away.

Career Film: Naomi Nanor works as a Portfolio Lead at Anglian Water. Click on the tour to find out about Naomi's job role.

Expert Film: Ellie Henderson, a Community Education Manager at Anglian Water, discusses the damage that grease can have on pipes as well as how this can lead to flooding. Remember to only flush the three P's: pee, poo, and paper.

Mission Assignment

Complete the investigation to observe how oil and water behaves when mixed. Record your observations then compare how its behaviour is similar to what happens in our sewers.

Create an education advert which promotes how to educate your home and school to avoid throwing away grease in the rubbish.

Challenge Task:

Identify the top three causes of grease building up in our water systems.

Impact & Assessment Opportunities

Plenary

Ask pupils to share their education advert to the class.