This lesson introduces children to fossil fuels and their varied uses. Food as fuel and energy for humans is first demonstrated. The children then learn how petroleum products are used as fuel products, as well as to produce many items we use in our daily lives. The creation of fossil fuels is also explained. Finally, conservation of fuels is covered briefly, and can be covered more in-depth on a local level.

"Setting the Stage" - Ask the students how they got to school. Did they travel by bus? By car? Did they stop at a gas station? What helps these vehicles operate? What is fuel?

"Food as Fuel"
This lesson is introduced by explaining how food is fuel needed by human beings to function efficiently.
Touch-screen game- The student touches food in the refrigerator to feed Patrick. This helps children make the connection that food is fuel, and important to sustain life and improve their performance. A connecting example is then made with a lawnmower needing fuel, as well as a bicycle. During a trip to the gas station, students are introduced to oil for the bicycle. The touch-screen image of an oilcan is activated to show what oil looks like.
Optional tip - an effective (and safe) way to show the color and consistency of oil is to have a jar of molasses available.

"Dinosaurs are Fuel"
The decline and extinction of the dinosaur illustrate the creation of fossil fuels. This is shown as a computer program in the story. Teachers can remind students of the availability of information at their disposal via computer technology.
Videotape presentations - After learning about the creation of fuels, the students have the opportunity to repeat the lesson as they are videotaped. Encourage the students to use images on the Learning Station as they give their presentations.

"Vehicles"
Touch-screen game- Students use the Learning Station to learn which vehicles use fuel. Some items do not require fuel; making this a problem-solving task for the students.

"Driving Game"
Touch-screen game- This arcade-style game allows the child to drive a car to the gas station for refueling. The student must watch the fuel gauge to determine if there is enough fuel. ('Steering' is not necessary.) This is fun and noisy. The game will end when the car is allowed to run out of gas.
Hands-on activity - To experience the feel and viscosity of fuel, make available something to touch. Baby oil, cooking oil, or even liquid soap offers this sensation without being too messy. (molasses looks and pours like oil, but is too sticky to feel like oil).

"Drilling For Oil"
Touch-screen game - After being introduced to oil wells and their locations, the concept of drilling for oil is explained. The students then use the Learning Station to 'explore' for a site to drill for oil. Some locations do not work. The location that does produce oil will 'gush' oil when it is activated. Oil drilling at sea is also discussed. This is more pertinent to some school locations than others, and those teachers can choose to cover this topic more thoroughly during this discussion segment.

"Vehicles and Fuel"
Touch-screen game - This short game reminds the students which vehicles require fuel. Some children understand it more clearly this time than during the first game.

"Importance of Vehicles"
Touch-screen game - This is another approach of discussing which vehicles use fuel and why. Why are these vehicles important? This simple question encourages full sentence development during the students' answers.

"Refueling Stations"
Touch-screen game - Students decide which vehicles need fuel and where the fuel would be obtained. There are two refueling possibilities; a gas station on land and one seaside for boats. This illustrates to some students, for the first time, how and where boats are refueled.

"Other Energy Sources"
This segment introduces other energy sources such as water and electricity. It is a good opportunity to talk about energy used by the students in their daily lives. Encourage the children to 'discover' the energy in their classroom. Talk about conservation and why it is important.

Before Students Go Home - Review
Review why people need food as fuel for their bodies
Review where oil is found and its origins (dinosaurs)
What vehicles use oil or gas?
Reminder of other forms of energy and need for conservation

Supply List for Activities
"Today I Learned" - parents handout
Dinosaur picture to take home
Optional - molasses to illustrate oil's appearance, pour and color baby oil, cooking oil or liquid soap to demonstrate feel of oil