Dispatches from the Gulf

Gr 6 Up—Filmmakers Marilyn and Hal Weiner have woven together a dozen short segments focusing on the residual effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Told primarily from the viewpoint of scientists and researchers, the film opens with an exploration of the impact of the spill, including effects on wildlife and the change in the economy and the way of life for the locals. It moves into research on the genetic modifications that have occurred in the wildlife affected, what happened to the oil that was dispersed, the extent of the damage, and how to keep the ocean healthy in the future. Narrated by Matt Damon, the production is smoothly edited and flows logically from one topic to the next. A 36-minute abridgement appropriate for middle schools is included. Seven PDF study guides, aligning the film with Next Generation Science Standards, feature clear learning objectives, summaries of each segment (making this useful to break down by topic), and discussion questions. This film differs from the documentary After the Spill, which concentrates on the cleanup and political ramifications of the oil spill. The two works could be used together by high school teachers in order to give students a more complete picture of the lasting effects of this ecological disaster.