Educator Guide: Calculating a Dog’s Age Requires a Bit More Math

Two yellow labs

Old dogs may not be able to learn new tricks, but scientists have a new way to estimate just how old they are.

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About this guide

In this guide, students will learn how scientists used molecular biology to rethink a popular mathematical formula for finding a dog’s age in human years. Students will then analyze and discuss mathematical models.

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This Guide Includes:

Old dog, new math

Students will answer questions about the online Science News article “Calculating a dog’s age in human years is harder than you think,” which explores how scientists used molecular biology to more accurately compare canine aging with human aging. A version of the story, “Calculating a dog’s age requires a bit more math,” can be found in the August 15, 2020 issue of Science News.
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