MonticelloLive

Uca, a 93-foot blue whale replica, visited the University of Arkansas at Monticello on Monday, May 7. Pam Beard, University of Arkansas at Monticello’s Science Specialist, invited students from the surrounding schools to tour the whale exhibit.

The students learned many facts about whales such as a whale’s heart is roughly the size of a Volkswagen Beetle; the tail, called a Fluke, is unique to each whale like a human fingerprint; whales are the world’s largest animals emitting low frequency sounds that are louder than a jet engine; and whales can communicate with other whales many miles away.

Students received hands-on experiences as they tested the insulation power of whale blubber by sticking their hands in bags lined with assimilated blubber and immersing them in a tub of ice water. They also had the opportunity to examine actual whale vertebrae and handle a preserved shark.

The highlight of the presentation was a trip inside the belly of the whale. Students filed into the replica through a tiny slit in the side of the whale. Wide-eyed and amazed, the students experienced the inside of the enormous mammal.

Uca is the creation of the University of Central Arkansas student chapter of the National Science Teachers Association as their outreach service project. Jerry Mimms, an instructor at the University of Central Arkansas, dusted off some blueprints he had from years past and Uca came “alive.” During this past year, Mr. Mimms and Uca have crisscrossed the state amazing students with this magnificent mammal.