This is a National Trial Print of a unit on petroleum developed for the Australian Science Education Project. The package contains the teacher's edition of the written material and a script for a film entitled "The Extraordinary Experience of Nicholas Nodwell" emphasizing the uses of petroleum and petroleum products in daily life and designed to be used to introduce the unit to students. This unit follows the story of petroleum from its formation through its discovery, recovery, and refining, to the final uses of refined petroleum products. Students have opportunities to distill and crack crude oil; test lubricating oils, make their own petroleum products; investigate aspects of internal combustion engines; simulate the formation, trapping and recovery of oil; and read about some of the latest developments in petroleum technology. Students also investigate some of the problems associated with the uses of petroleum products such as safety problems, pollution and the need for conservation. The unit is aimed at giving students an insight into the workings of the petroleum industry and to make students aware of its relevance to their everyday lives. (PEB)