This summer, the environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico unfolded with more drama than a summer blockbuster. America was riveted by a deadly explosion, a seemingly unstoppable geyser of toxic petroleum, beach cleaners in hazmat suits, and the media’s concerned coverage. Opportunities to capture students’ attention in such a dramatic way do not come along every day, and teachers should take advantage of this opportunity to explore what happened. This Idea Bank provides some classroom resources dedicated to exploring the issues surrounding oil spills.