You may have heard the expression that dogs ‘see with their noses.’ But these creature’s amazing nasal architecture actually reveals a whole world beyond what we can see. Learn about how a dog’s nose can smell the past, the future and even things that can’t be seen at all.
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #34: A Dog’s Nose
2. Watch this video and record 5-10 details about dog noses on your recording sheet.
3. Choose 2 of these questions to answer with 2 sentences. Write your answer from the point of view of a dog. Remind your teacher that the answer key can be found in the Science Mini Spark folder.
- What are the main features of a dog’s nose that allow it to smell so effectively?
- How does a dog’s ability to smell differ from that of humans?
- Describe the role of the vomeronasal organ in a dog’s sense of smell.
- In what ways can dogs use their sense of smell to understand their environment?
- How can dogs be trained to respond to various scents, and what are some examples of their abilities?
4. Read an article about a dog detective. Record number facts from the article. Example: Their sense of smell is 10,000 times more sensitive than a human’s.
5. Look over this animal nose information page from the San Diego Zoo. Record 2 details about each of the animals listed in the article.
6. Share your science mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.