Lesson Plans
Barbara Brown

At the age of 12, Barbara Brown and two of her friends from 4-H founded a motor oil recycling program called Don’t Be Crude. Barbara was inspired to start the organization because she frequently saw used motor oil poured on the ground as an herbicide or insecticide. She spoke with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (formerly Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission), solicited $16,000 in donations from area businesses, and worked with several County Commissioners Courts to designate the recycling sites. Today Don’t be Crude has 19 do-it-yourself recycling centers 7 different counties and because of its efforts, 50,000 gallons of used motor oil and hydraulic fluid are recycled every year.
View Barbara Brown's video or read the transcript
Learn More
- Article about Don’t Be Crude
- Center for a New American Dream
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Lessons for Barbara Brown
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Voice & Action: Active or Passive
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Issue Group Debate
Trustee: Amy Wong Mok
Grade Level: 9-12
Time:90 minutes
Description: Teach students about influence of interest groups in the decision making process.
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Involved for Change
Trustee: Cathy Bonner, Barney Flores, or Barbara Brown
Grade: 10-12
Time: 90 minutes
Description: Students will complete a biographical sketch of a local community leader.

AND if desired,
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Grade Level: 10-12
Time: 65 minutes
Description: Students analyze and describe the concept of political participation.