Blubber Mitten Ice Water Test

What you need

• Zip-top bags, 4
• Vegetable shortening, 1 large spoonful per mitten
• Large bowl, 1
• Ice cubes, about 2 trays
• Water, enough cold water to fill the bowl halfway
• Towel, 1

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Set up at a table or on the kitchen floor with a towel underneath, gather the bags, shortening and ice, and stay close the whole time: bags are not for little ones to play with, and bare hands come out of the ice water as soon as they start to feel cold.

1. Fill the big bowl with cold water and lots of ice cubes.
2. Scoop a big spoonful of shortening into one bag.
3. Push a second bag inside the first bag. Ask for help if you need it
4. Squish the shortening all around between the bags.
5. Slip one hand into the inside bag to make your blubber mitten.
   Ask: Which hand do you think will get cold first, the blubber hand or the bare hand?
6. Dip both hands into the ice water at the same time.
7. Count the seconds out loud and pull out the bare hand as soon as it starts to feel cold.
   Ask: What does your blubber hand feel like compared to your bare hand?
8. Compare which hand lasted longer, then dry off with the towel.
9. Now let a grown-up try the blubber mitten! Does it keep their hand warm too?
   Ask: How do you think a polar bear feels swimming in icy water all day?

Play it again

• Fluffy fur: fill the gap with cotton balls instead and see if fur beats blubber.
• Double blubber: use two spoonfuls of shortening and find out if a thicker layer works even better.
• Swap hands: switch which hand wears the mitten and see if the result stays the same.