teaching resource

Arctic Animal Adaptations- Blubber Me! Experiment

Updated: 05 Jan 2024

Explore the structural adaptation of blubber with an Arctic Animal Adaptation experiment.

Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 3 Pages
Years: 5 - 6

Curriculum

ACSSU043

Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment
ACSHE081

Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and reflects historical and cultural contributions
ACSIS231

With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigations
ACSIS087

Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital technologies as appropriate
ACSIS218

Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations
ACSIS090

Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data using digital technologies as appropriate
ACSIS093

Communicate ideas, explanations and processes using scientific representations in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts

VCSSU073

Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to inform personal and community decisions and to solve problems that directly affect people's lives
VCSSU074

Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment
VCSIS082

With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be based on previous experiences or general rules
VCSIS084

Decide which variables should be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data
VCSIS085

Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to record, represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data
VCSIS086

Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations
VCSIS088

Communicate ideas and processes using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and to identify simple cause-and-effect relationships
VCSSU074

Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment
VCSIS082

With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be based on previous experiences or general rules
VCSIS084

Decide which variables should be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data
VCSIS085

Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to record, represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data
VCSIS086

Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations
VCSIS088

Communicate ideas and processes using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and to identify simple cause-and-effect relationships

teaching resource

Arctic Animal Adaptations- Blubber Me! Experiment

Updated: 05 Jan 2024

Explore the structural adaptation of blubber with an Arctic Animal Adaptation experiment.

Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 3 Pages
Years: 5 - 6

Explore the structural adaptation of blubber with an Arctic Animal Adaptation experiment.

How Do Polar Animals Survive the Cold Weather?

Have you ever wondered how marine animals like whales, polar bears or penguins keep themselves warm in the cold ocean waters? Well, the secret lies in the layer of fat under their skin called blubber. This insulation helps them to maintain their body temperature and survive in icy environments.

Try Out a Blubber Experiment to Learn About Polar Adaptations

While we humans do not require much insulation to survive, it is a very important factor for creatures like polar bears, whales, seals, and penguins. They create blubber, which acts as an insulator, keeping them warm in cold environments. You can easily test out the effectiveness of blubber as an insulator right in your own classroom with this simple blubber experiment that teaches your students about the effectiveness of the substance in withstanding cold temperatures.

Animals develop structural, behavioural, and physiological adaptations to help them survive in the environment in which they live. This Organisms and Environments experiment allows students to investigate if blubber keeps animals warm in cold environments. In this experiment, students will do the following.

Half-fill the medium-sized bucket with ice cubes. Add as much cold water as is needed to cover the ice cubes (so they float in the water).
Place your hand into the bucket of icy water and immediately start the stopwatch. Time how long your hand stays in the icy water. Stop the stopwatch as soon as you remove your hand from the bucket. Record the time on your worksheet.
Cover your hand with a thick layer of vegetable fat (to act as blubber), then secure a glove over the top (to act as skin). Wash and dry your other hand.
Place your covered hand into the bucket of icy water and immediately start the stopwatch. Time how long your covered hand stays in the icy water. Stop the stopwatch as soon as you remove your hand from the bucket. Record the time on your worksheet

Download Your Polar Adaptation Experiment Guide

This resource downloads as a quick-print PDF resource file. Simply click the download button to download your resource today!

Even More Ways to Teach Animals and Their Adaptations

Before you go, make sure you grab these fantastic animal adaptation resources.
[resource:4825096] [resource:21480] [resource:21485]

Curriculum

ACSSU043

Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment
ACSHE081

Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and reflects historical and cultural contributions
ACSIS231

With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigations
ACSIS087

Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital technologies as appropriate
ACSIS218

Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations
ACSIS090

Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data using digital technologies as appropriate
ACSIS093

Communicate ideas, explanations and processes using scientific representations in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts

VCSSU073

Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to inform personal and community decisions and to solve problems that directly affect people's lives
VCSSU074

Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment
VCSIS082

With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be based on previous experiences or general rules
VCSIS084

Decide which variables should be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data
VCSIS085

Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to record, represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data
VCSIS086

Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations
VCSIS088

Communicate ideas and processes using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and to identify simple cause-and-effect relationships
VCSSU074

Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment
VCSIS082

With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be based on previous experiences or general rules
VCSIS084

Decide which variables should be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data
VCSIS085

Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to record, represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data
VCSIS086

Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations
VCSIS088

Communicate ideas and processes using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and to identify simple cause-and-effect relationships

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