Petroleum Panic Negative Number Activity and Game

Petroleum Panic Negative

As the world runs out of oil, two rival companies discover an area rich in oil reserves. For each question a company answers correctly, they can choose a grid square to drill in. The company that finds the required number of oil reserves will make a fortune!

Great visual activity for two teams of any size (works very well as a whole class activity!). With a game grid randomly populated with oil reserves, randomly generated questions and a changing number of oil reserves needed to win, this game is a pupil favourite that can be played again and again.

Requires multiplication of positive and negative numbers (see ‘Petroleum Panic’ for an easier version!)

• Suitable for KS4, KS3 and KS2 (more able)
• Starter, plenary or transition/break task
• Develops key mental number work skills
• Supports differentiation by questioning (harder questions allocated to more able students)
• Encourages team work and positive engagement with number work
• Teachers can generate a new grid at any time to relocate the oil and alter the number of reserves needed to win
• Promotes discussion about social and cross curricula issues such as the environment, greenhouse gases, politics, business, ethics etc.

Playing the game:

• Clicking on the ‘Click to generate a new grid’ and ‘Next question’ buttons generates new grids and questions.
• When you’ve ready to start - answers are typed into the answer box (square to the left of the orange box).
• Move out of the box (using the arrow keys) to check if the answer is correct.
• If they get a tick, put the teams symbol (O or X) into the grid square pupils choose (e.g. A5)
• Move out of the square (using the arrow keys) - if they have found oil, the square will change colour!
• Then click on ‘Next Question’ (next to that teams name) - a new question is generated and the cursor moves ready for the other team to have their turn.

Tips for use:

• While one team is answering their question, the next question for the other team is already displayed. Get pupils used to this and working out answers in advance (this helps build pace and engagement).
• Use the zoom function in Excel (bottom right-hand corner of the screen or via the menu) to fit the game to your screen size/resolution.
• Going full screen (auto hiding the ribbon) makes it look even better.
• Teams get a free go (question automatically marked correct) if the answer is zero.

I hope you and your classes enjoy it!