Science in the middle school is the integration of science inquiry skills with specific scientific concepts in each of the four areas of science: Chemistry, Earth Science, Life Science and Physical Science. Through hands-on activities, students will develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as conceptual understanding of the world around them. Our students are expected to be scientists, not just learn about science!
8th Grade Science Units:
Chemistry – Through our Chemistry unit, students explore atomic structure, molecular structure, the periodic table, and elements. Students look at elements, classify them into groups based on characteristic properties, and compare these groups with their position on the periodic table. Students look at the formation of a compound through experimentation with chemical reactions and reaction rates and quantitatively analyze chemical properties and phase changes.
Earth Science – Through our Earth, Sun, Moon unit, students use evidence to construct explanations for the structures and motions of the Earth, Sun and Moon. Students observe the relationships between rotation and revolution and the effects on shadows, season, eclipses and moon phases. They examine the forces that affect objects that exist and move within the Solar System.
Life Sciences – Through our Human Body Systems unit students compare and contrast the human body through a systems approach. The form and function of the circulatory and respiratory systems are examined closely as well as the interactions between the two systems. Students develop an understanding of how diseases disrupt the homeostasis of these systems.
Physical Science – Through our Nature of Light unit, student inquiries focus around the nature of light and investigating light as energy. Students gain an understanding of the laws of reflection and refraction and explore image formation in lenses and mirrors. Light as part of electromagnetic spectrum is explored, providing the tie-in to the unit on Earth, Sun, Moon.
