Curated OER
Whale Blubber
Middle schoolers examine the purpose and characteristics of whale blubber. They work together to complete an experiment to test the fat as an insulator. They discover how humans use materials to protect them from the cold.
American Museum of Natural History
Rubber Blubber Gloves
Using gloves, shortening, tape, and a lot of ice, participants experience the feeling of having blubber. The experiment's eight steps follow an informative page about blubber and animals that have it.
Curated OER
How Does Whale Blubber Work?
Students perform an experiment to find out how whale blubber keeps whales warm in cold temperatures. They use Ziploc bags lathered in shortening to simulate whale blubber. They put their hands in cold water, both with and without the bags.
Curated OER
Ocean Exploration
Students explore whales. In this animal adaptation and whale instructional activity, students access prior knowledge about whales from previous lessons, then use background knowledge to predict the eating strategies of a baleen whale and...
Curated OER
Big on Blubber: How do Whales Stay Warm?
Students explore biology by conducting a science experiment in class. In this whale anatomy lesson, students identify the use of whale blubber for the animal to stay warm in cold waters while utilizing ice, vegetable oil, plastic bags...
Curated OER
Baleen Whales vs. Toothed Whales
Second graders review mammal characteristics and study two types of whales. In this mammal study lesson plan, 2nd graders discuss mammals and define their five characteristics. Students complete a whale worksheet and define differences...
Curated OER
Whale Adaptations
Students explore whales and how they have adapted to survive in the ocean. In this whale adaptations lesson students complete several activities that allow them to investigate animal adaptations.
Curated OER
Underwater Animals
Students investigate mammals and blubber. In this science lesson abut the sea, students perform an experiment that will help them in discovering how blubber keeps sea mammals warm.
Curated OER
Maintaining Body Heat
Students observe and compare heat loss in various objects with surface area-to-volume ratios and transfer this comparison to the physical characteristics of animals in their environment. In small groups they conduct an experiment...
Scholastic
Scholastic Instructor: Wonderful World of Whales
Have your students ever wondered what it is like to be a whale swimming in ice cold water. In this lesson plan they can experience that as well as learn other facts about the lives of whales.