INCREASING AWARENESS. RESTORING THE LAND.

About IPRB

Promote an understanding of the business of oil and gas production in Illinois through education and public relation.

Foster goodwill toward the industry by encouraging environmentally sound practices with respect to ongoing production and historical oilfields problems.

Support research related to oil exploration and production and problem remediation.

The Illinois Petroleum Resources Board (IPRB) provides public awareness and education programs regarding the upstream Illinois oil and gas industry. IPRB programs are funded entirely by voluntary contributions from Illinois oil and natural gas producers and royalty owners.

Want to learn more about Illinois' Oil Industry?

Click Here Now!

EDUCATION

One of the IPRB’s core objectives is promoting a better understanding of the Illinois oil and gas industry through programs with schools, organizations and the public at large. The centerpiece of this effort is our Summer Program for grades 3-12 math and science teachers.

SUMMER TEACHERS PROGRAM

The IPRB hosts a professional development summer program for Illinois grades 3-12 science and math teachers. Teachers who attend the program earn 37 ½ professional development hours or 7 1/2 professional development hours and two graduate course credits from Illinois State University. Participating teachers also receive grade-specific lesson plans and a lab/classroom activity kit. The 2024 IPRB Summer Program is scheduled to be held June 25 through June 28 in Mount Vernon.

To date, 781 teachers from 96 Illinois counties have participated in the IPRB Summer Program.

Classroom Curriculum

The IPRB provides printed, Illinois State Board of Education-approved curricula to teachers that complete our annual Summer Math & Science Teachers Program. The contents are covered during workshops conducted on the second day fo the program.

Elementary Petro Science w/ Common Core Math Component

Understand the process of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions,conduct experiments and solve problems as it relates to the Illinois crude oil and natural gas industry. Topics include: Ordered pairs, rock ID, porosity, flow rate of oil, pulleys, oil/water cohesion, crude oil, plastics recycling codes, formation of oil and natural gas, and common core math problems.

Middle School Petro Science

Understand the process of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments and solve problems as it relates to the Illinois crude oil and natural gas industry. Topics include: oil and natural gas formation, microorganisms, sound waves, locating crude oil, reservoirs/production, separation process, safety, petroleum-based products, and energy conservation.

High School Core Energy Science

Understand the process of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments and solve problems as it relates to the Illinois Crude Oil and Natural Gas Industry. Topics include: The structure of hydrocarbons, effects of elevation on flow rate, flow rate of a fluid, fractional distillation, oil recovery methods and the use of biological technology by means of cellular respiration to enhance oil production.

Middle/High School Core Energy Math

Understand and utilize Common Core Mathematic standards to define, evaluate and solve real world problems as they relate to the Illinois crude oil and natural gas industry. Topics include: Well site clean-up and restoration, directional and horizontal drilling, finding lease locations, oil and natural gas revenue/expenses, and word problems directly tied to a common core standard.

References

The Phase of Oil Recovery – So FarClick Here

Map & Graph for Bubbling Up Crude ChapterClick Here

Seismic Exploration VideosClick Here

Well Drilling AnimationsClick Here

LuckyClick Here

The Energy Behind Finding EnergyClick Here

Cooking Up CrudeClick Here

Exploring The Illinois BasinClick Here

Want to attend?

“

"I have definitely been using the kit. We just completed a science unit and rocks and minerals. I would love to have some flyers sent to my school for all the teachers. I work at Herrin Elementary School and know several teachers that would be interested in attending this summer."

“

"I loved your program and recommend it to my fellow teachers."

“

"I’ve put the knowledge I gained and supplies to good use this year. I really enjoyed last year’s program and am very glad that I had the opportunity to attend, even if it was only a one time shot. Best of luck with your subsequent IPRB summer programs and I hope that other educators enjoy it as much as I did."

“

"Thanks so much… we learned so much. It was a great experience."

“

"Thank you for a wonderful conference experience. My Mascoutah ladies and I appreciate all your hard work. We had a great learning experience!"

“

"I use the resources daily. I use the curriculum exercises as they fit into my courses monthly. Thanks so much! It was a great program."

“

"The curriculum I use every year and the materials I have found other helpful uses for even in the biological sciences. This was one of the best professional developments I have attended and would love to again."

“

"We are mandated to complete 2 STEM projects a year. I always make sure that one of the STEM projects connects with curriculum /lab kits that were given to us."

“

"I used the entire kit last year for 25 students. I will use the entire kit again this year. Other than a few stop watches not working well (minor problem) the kit is FANTASTIC!"

“

"I teach a delightfully small class of 18 third graders this year. We start off the year talking about the prairie on which we live, so this year, I had a LOT more knowledge to share about glaciers and what lies UNDER our prairie! We have talked about fossils and rocks and layers of the earth a lot more in-depth this year. I've been able to add information about the Illinois basin and what is needed to produce oil. I have read the book Let's Go Rock Collecting and used the sedimentary tubes and rock samples so far, as well as shown my class several photos that I took during our outing. Thank you again for this experience!"

“

"I use as a supplement to our NGSS curriculum. My kids love the ooze tube which always sits on my desk!"

“

"I share resources w/colleagues. We are in IL unit right now., we will get to natural resources soon. I'm still in awe of the wonderfully organized work you orchestrated this summer! Such great communication!"

“

"I incorporate several items into my lessons throughout the year. I like to show how science and math are used in most workplaces. This gives purpose to what they are learning."

“

"I have retired so I left the kit for the next teacher. It was a great kit with lots of great projects and information."

“

"I have not been able to do a full Petroleum unit thus far but I have been using some of the equipment in the bins that were provided. They have come in handy with doing demonstrations and different activities."

“

"I have been using the petroleum labs you provided me for my earth science class to teach the scientific method and a unit on Energy. I plan on using the unit until I retire. It is a great unit and labs to use to fill common core that Illinois now requires."

“

"I use 3 activities that we were taught. And use almost all the resource material. We are mandated to complete 2 STEM projects a year. I always make sure that one of the STEM projects connects with curriculum /lab kits that were given to us."

“

"I LOVED this workshop. FYI. To be honest, I haven’t been able to use the curriculum a whole lot because our school has a "locked curriculum" for biology and I really cannot stray too much from it. If I were teaching Earth Science I would probably use it more, but more and more, our curriculum doesn't have a lot of flexibility. So I feel bad for letting you know this. I’m hoping that at some point I will get to use all of that incredible stuff!!!"

“

"84 third graders in my building...I’ll share my kit with other teachers) I’ve used items from my kit twice this year so far. Loved the program and have told all my teacher friends about it! Looking forward to them getting to experience it next year."

“

"The school year has recently begun. I plan on using the toolkit later in the school year when the science teacher is teaching her petroleum unit. We plan on using the materials for an interdisciplinary unit. Thank you. I truly enjoyed the week of activities and events."

RESTORATION

IPRB expertise and industry-provided funding from producers and royalty owners is utilized in the clean-up and restoration of abandoned tank batteries in Illinois. IPRB’s goal is to restore abandoned sites previously used for oil and gas production back to commercial or agricultural use at no cost to current landowners. The restoration process constitutes:

Removal of oil field tank site equipment, concrete and debris
Repair of erosion and saltwater scars left on the land
Revitalizing the soil
Restoring the land to productive use

In 2018 alone, IPRB utilized $350,000 in funds to clean up and restore approximately 70 tank battery sites. IPRB has played a key financial and administrative role in the clean up and restoration of more than 500 tank battery sites across the state since 2004.

Illinois Oil Industry Statistics

14,000

Jobs

330

Annual State Revenue Dollars

330

Annual Economic Impact Dollars

MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS

Members of the 12-person IPRB Board of Directors (BOD) are appointed by the Illinois Oil and Gas Association (IOGA) and hold office for three years, or until their successors are duly appointed and qualified, or until death, resignation or removal from office, whichever comes first. Members of the IPRB BOD are required to be at least 25 years of age and have at least five years of active experience in the oil and gas industry. The affairs and property of the IPRB are vested in the BOD, and the BOD has the power and authority to enact IPRB’s goals and mission statement.