Seismic wave studies

After attending the summer STEM workshop for educators, Danielle McCune of Springboro Junior High took her 8th grade science class through a lesson from the Exploration unit on sound waves. Scientists use sound waves to reveal possible crude oil and natural gas–bearing rock formations under the ground.

McCune started the multi-day lesson with students exploring the sound boards, using indirect observation to predict what was the pattern inside the container. Next, the class discussed why they predicted the way they did and finally McCune revealed what exact pattern was inside the container. This led to a discussion on using our senses to determine what Earth's interior is made up of.

With little prior knowledge on their part, McCune had the students make and record predictions on how they thought seismic waves traveled throughout Earth. Then students took notes on the wave movement in a foldable and diagram. McCune connected seismic wave movement to the way sound waves travel using slinkies. The class discussed how the oil industry used sound waves and looked at the list of careers in natural gas and oil.

"I plan to use the Weighty Problems activity for an engineering design activity later this year," McCune said.

"The lessons went very well. The students enjoyed the activity of using indirect observation and successfully connected it to how we make predictions of how seismic waves travel through our Earth. They were interested in all the career opportunities and were surprised by how many there were."

Show your students the many career opportunities associates with oil and gas with the resources on our website!