The MOLU, or Mobile Oilfield Learning Unit, is a traveling exhibition run by the Oilfield Energy Center that teaches students in grades 5-8 about science, technology, and careers related to the oil and natural gas industry through hands-on, educational activities.
For the last two years, Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, Southwestern Energy, and Williams sponsored the MOLU as it traveled to Pennsylvania and visited dozens of different schools across the northeastern part of the state.
Due to its popularity, Cabot, Williams, Southwestern Energy, Shell, and Schlumberger worked together to fund the creation of a brand new MOLU that is permanently stationed in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia and used in schools throughout the region.
Recently, the MOLU traveled to The Linsly School in West Virginia.
How It Works
The MOLU has six mobile units comprised of four stations each, making 24 educational activities available which can be easily set up in any gym or common area. Students travel around in pairs, spending a few minutes at each station learning, filling out an accompanying worksheet, and exploring the hands-on materials – including a robotic arm and a microscope.
ACTIVITIES: Energy Lingo, Holland Personality Types, Historical Timeline, Engineering
STANDARDS: Abilities of Technological Design; Abilities Necessary to do Scientific Inquiry; History of Science; Science and Technology and Society; Science as a Human Endeavor; Understanding about Science and Technology
ACTIVITIES: Formation of Petroleum, Rock Sedimentation Tube, Porosity Turntable, Microslide Viewing
STANDARDS: Populations, Resources,and Environments; Structure and Function in Living Systems; Structure of the Earth System
ACTIVITIES: Seismic Studies, Stereoscopic Maps, Thermal Pad, Fluorescent Rocks
STANDARDS: Properties and Changes of Properties in Matter; Science and Technology and Society; Structure of the Earth System; Transfer of Energy; Understanding about Science and Technology
ACTIVITIES: Science of Drill Bits, Rock Core Samples, Explore for Oil, Drilling Methods
STANDARDS: Abilities of Technological Design; Risks and Benefits; Science and Technology and Society; Science as a Human Endeavor; Structure of the Earth System; Understanding about Science and Technology
ACTIVITIES: Distillation Process Puzzle: Cost Comparisons, Pass the Petroleum, Oil Products: Science and Technology and Society
STANDARDS: Abilities Necessary to do Scientific Inquiry; Properties and Changes of Properties in Matter; Science and Technology and Society; Science as a Human Endeavor; Understanding about Science and Technology
ACTIVITIES: Viscosity Tubes, Rigs and Platforms, Carbon Cycle, ROV Simulator
STANDARDS: Abilities of Technical Design; History of Science; Properties and Changes of Properties in Matter; Science and Technology and Society; Science as a Human Endeavor; Structure of the Earth System; Transfer of Energy: Understanding about Science and Technology
Using the MOLU, students learn about many topics related to the natural gas industry like geology, engineering, physics, chemistry, history, environmental studies, and more. Seeing how oil and natural gas are a part of products used in everyday life often surprises students, while the hands-on activities encourage interest and keep them engaged. The MOLU activities correlate with Next Generation National Science Standards and are based around the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) subjects. The activities illustrate concepts that are new to students – porosity, density, distillation, thermal energy – in a way that engages students in a tactile way.
The goal of the MOLU is to not only educate kids about the oil and natural gas industry but to encourage interest in STEM-related career fields as well.
Support the MOLU
The average cost for the experience is $2,200, and a growing number of companies that appreciate the value of STEM education and fostering a skilled workforce have stepped up to sponsor the MOLU in its journey across the region. They include Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, CNX, Equitrans Midstream Corporation, Marathon Petroleum, Range Resources, Southwestern Energy, and Williams. Sponsor the MOLU for a trip to a school near you and bring science and technology to life for the students.
The MOLU needs sponsorship!
Need more info? Click here.
For more details about sponsorship, and how to get the MOLU to a school near you, please contact Oilfield Energy Center at 713-840-1753 or email at oecmolu@oceanstaroec.com
