Blubber experiment

This afternoon we conducted an experiment to try and see just how effective the adaptation of blubber is for penguins who live in Antarctica.

We began by asking our volunteer Jessica, to place her hand in a bowl of icy water (Antarctica).

 We timed how long she could keep her hand in the bowl before it got too frozen.  She lasted..... 9 SECONDS!!!!!

 Next Mrs O spread margarine all over Jessica's other hand - the margarine was acting as the blubber.

 After both sides of Jessica's left hand were plastered in margarine, her hand was wrapped tightly in gladwrap (acting as the skin and feathers of a penguin).

 Jessica then plunged her left hand in the same bowl of icy water and we began timing again.

 We waited...... and waited.... and waited...... Three and a half minutes later Jessica was still looking very calm and was in no hurry to end the experiment.  She said that her hand actually felt warm!

This was a quick and easy experiment to prove to us all the value of blubber for Antarctic animals.  It showed us how blubber helps animals to keep their body warmth in and not let the cold in.

EXTRA FOR EXPERTS - Can you think of another way of doing this experiment?  What else do you have at home that might act like blubber as the margarine did?  Post a comment if you've tried this at home.