The hidden effects of crude oil pollutants on fish behaviour

Suitable for 14 to 19-year-olds (secondary and high schools, and college), this article and accompanying activity sheet can be used in the classroom or shared with students online.

This resource links to KS4 and KS5 Biology and Chemistry.

It can also be used as a careers resource and links to Gatsby Benchmarks:

Gatsby Benchmark 2: Learning from career and labour market information

Gatsby Benchmark 4: Linking curriculum learning to careers

• This teaching resource explains the work of Professor Keith Tierney, at the University of Alberta in Canada, who is exploring how exposure to pollutants can lead to long-term behavioural changes in aquatic vertebrates. His research in ecotoxicology reveals the profound impacts of these chemicals, pushing the boundaries of what we consider toxic.

• This resource also contains an interview with Keith and his student Zhanika, providing insights into careers in ecotoxicology.

• The activity sheet provides ‘talking points’ (based on Bloom’s Taxonomy) to prompt students to reflect on Keith’s research, and tasks them to research the environmental impacts of oil spills.

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This resource was first published on Futurum Careers, a free online resource and magazine aimed at encouraging 14-19-year-olds worldwide to pursue careers in science, tech, engineering, maths, medicine (STEM) and social sciences, humanities and the arts for people and the economy (SHAPE).

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