Encourage curious young minds to go on an arctic exploration to discover how polar bears stay warm in frigid conditions with the use of blubber. This sensory science experiment provides children three years and up hands-on learning opportunities to investigate the science of cause and effect, temperature, and insulation. Children will experience the freezing temperatures by placing their hands in ice water. Next, they will place their hands into the (safely sealed) bag of shortening to feel how blubber provides insulation.
Here is what you will need:
2 Large Ziplock Bags
Shortening
Large Empty Tub
Ice
Instructions
Set out several pictures of cows and talk to the children about cows. Ask the children, "Where do cows live?" 2. Explain to the children that they will be making their own cow bells. Say, "After we make our own special cow bells, then we can ring our cow bells to the action rhyme." 3. Ask the children to choose a color of ribbon for their bell. 4. Encourage the children to decorate their cow bells and ribbons by coloring or drawing on them or adding stickers. 5. Help the children either tie the cow bells to their wrists or just tie the ribbon so they can hold their bells. 6. Teach the children the action rhyme "Hey, Diddle, Diddle" and model how to shake a cow bell to the beat of the rhyme. Assessment Consider the following: * Do the children decorate their cow bells? * Can the children shake their cow bells in time with the rhythm of the action rhyme?
