7. Fossil fuels were forming before dinosaurs lived
Oil was formed from the remains of sea plants and animals that lived millions of years ago – even before the dinosaurs! The sea plants and animals died and were buried on the ocean floor under layers and layers of mud (sand). Over millions of years, their remains were buried deeper and deeper. Enormous heat and pressure from these layers helped turn the dead sea plants and animals into oil and gas. That’s why oil and gas are called “fossil” fuels!
Speaker notes: Oil was formed from the remains of sea plants and animals that lived millions of years ago – even before the dinosaurs! The sea plants and animals died and were buried on the ocean floor under layers and layers of mud (sand). Over millions of years, their remains were buried deeper and deeper. Enormous heat and pressure from these layers helped turn the dead sea plants and animals into oil and gas. That’s why oil and gas are called “fossil” fuels!
Speaker notes: Even though fossil fuels were used thousands of years ago, mass consumption of oil and gas began only “recently.”
Energy Timeline
3000 B.C. Mesopotamians used “rock oil” in architectural adhesives, ship caulks, medicines and roads
2000 B.C. Chinese refined crude oil for use in lamps and to heat their homes
1701 Coal discovered near Richmond, Va.
Mid-1800s Kerosene replaced whale oil as lamp fuel.
1859 “Colonel” Edwin Drake drilled the first commercial well and discovers oil and natural gas near Titusville, Penn., 69 feet below the Earth’s surface.
1882 First coal-fired electric generating station began operating in New York City to supply electricity for household lights.
Pre Wood was the primary source for cooking, warmth, light, trains and steamboats.
1890 Cars were mass produced, creating gasoline demand.
1910 Most rural homes still heated with wood. In towns, coal was displacing wood in homes.
1940s –1960s A massive expansion of the U.S. pipeline network began, which led to rapid growth of natural gas markets. Today, this interstate pipeline network, laid end-to-end, would stretch almost 12 times around the earth.
1950 – present Oil became most-used energy source because of automobiles.
1957 The first commercial nuclear power plant began operating.
1993 – present The U.S. imported more oil and refined products from other countries than it produced. More and more imports have been needed because of growing petroleum demand and declining U.S. production.
2001 Of every 10 barrels of petroleum consumed in the United States, more than 4 barrels were consumed in the form of gasoline. Transportation needs accounted for two-thirds of all petroleum used in the United States.
2007 World uses about 86 million barrels of oil per day – 40,000 gallons every second

11. Where Do Oil and Gas Come From?
Oil drops in grains of sand
Gas
Oil
Water
Source Rock (Fossils)
Speaker notes: Oil and gas aren’t found in a big underground lake! Engineers drill down through layers of sand and rock to reach the rock formations that contain oil and gas.
Exercise: Put glass beads or marbles into a clear glass. Ask students if the beaker is full. Pour water into the glass to cover the beads or marbles. Point out that the space between the beads/marbles (or rocks) is where oil and gas are found.
Microscopic View
Oil and gas aren’t found in a big underground lake! Engineers drill down through layers of sand and rock to reach the rock formations that contain oil and gas.

12. Oil and Gas Are Found On Land and under Water

13. What Products are Made with Petroleum?
MP3 Players
Pantyhose
Patio Screens
Perfumes
Photographic Film
Photographs
Piano Keys
Roller Blades
Roofing
Shampoo
Shaving Cream
Soft Contact Lenses
Surfboards
Telephones
Tents
Toothpaste
Toys
Umbrellas
Artificial Hearts
Aspirin
Balloons
Bandages
Blenders
Cameras
Candles
CD Players
Clothing
Compact Discs/DVDs
Computers
Containers
Crayons
Credit Cards
Dentures
Deodorant
Digital Clocks
Dyes
Fertilizers
Food Preservatives
Footballs
Furniture
Garbage Bags
Glasses
Glue
Golf Balls
Hair Dryers
Hang Gliders
House Paint
Ink
Insecticides
Life Jackets
Lipstick
Luggage
Medical Equipment
Medicines
The speaker can set the scene. Ask the students to point out additional items that are made from petroleum products that they use every day.

14. We are using fossil fuels (coal, oil & gas) faster
than they can be replaced.
Burning fossil fuels for energy also pollutes our atmosphere. Many people are concerned about
the greenhouse effect and climate change.
Scientists and other inventors are working hard
to find ways that we can use other sources of energy, and stop using so much fossil fuel.