This experiment was performed by Dee Hellmers' 2nd grade class at Hall Kent Elementary School in Homewood, Ala.

Materials:

• 4 small plastic bags the same size
• (Quart-size Ziploc bags are ideal)
• Solid shortening such as Crisco
• Spoon
• Container of ice cold water (aquarium or bucket)

Procedure: Use the spoon to carefully coat the outside of one of the bags. Place this bag inside one of the other bags. Take the two remaining bags and place one inside the other. You should now have two sets of bags with shortening between only one set of bags. Put one hand into each bag and place the bags into the ice water being careful not to submerge the tops of the bags.

Conclusion: The hand in the bag with the shortening layer feels warmer just like blubber helps animals stay warm.

Did you know? Blubber is the name of the layer of fat that protects some animals such as penguins, seals, and whales from the cold.