Activity

1. Explore canine evolution and the development of the human/dog relationship. Look at the Web site From Wolf to Woof at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/wolves/wolfdog.html Make a report and poster on what you learn at this excellent Web site. Many more good sites exist on this subject. Search with the key words "dog evolution."
   
   
2. What is the human immune system? Learn about it at The Immune System Web site at: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/final/immun/immun.htm or at Understanding the Immune System at: http://rex.nci.nih.gov/PATIENTS/INFO_TEACHER/immune_sys/Title.html Make a poster that teaches others about the parts and functions of the human immune system.
   
   
3. What is stress, and how do you cope with it? See these Web sites: The Story on Stress at: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/emotion/stress.html. What kinds of stress reducing activities does this site recommend? Are there others to learn from? Search under "stress +kids health." Share the stress-reducing techniques given by various Web sites with your fellow students.
   
   
4. The blood pressure of people that played with dogs usually goes down. What is blood pressure and what does is tell about the health of people? See the Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/ or at Yahoo Health at: http://health.yahoo.com/health/encyclopedia/003398/0.html
   
   
5. Design a Robot: In this article, the robot designers have made a dog-like machine that changes its behaviors over time when given certain amounts of care and attention. Although building such a device may be beyond your abilities today, you can begin to design a robot pet or animal. Make detailed drawings of your robot and then list its abilities. What should it be able to do? What kinds of attention should your robot need? How will it change over time? Maybe someday you can actually develop and build such a machine!
   
   

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