About PreAP 8th Grade Science

In 8th grade science, students will expand their foundational knowledge in the areas of force and motion, chemistry, Earth and space, and organisms and environments.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to calculate how forces change an object’s motion and describe applications of Newton’s Laws of Motion. They will also understand the structure of atoms and how elements and their characteristics are identified and represented on the Periodic Table.  They will explain the effects that result from the cyclical interactions of the Sun, Earth and Moon. Students will describe how Earth and its land features have been changed and shaped over time. They will also explore the relationships within ecosystems and how environmental changes and human impact can affect populations.  Some of the expectations of PreAP students is that the class will move at a more rapid pace, and students will be asked questions at a more rigorous level.  Students would be expected to study outside of class, and complete some projects outside of class.  Students will be asked to write lab reports and participate in class debates as well.  

The online resources used for this course are Stemscopes and resources in Schoology.

Outline of Course

Units covered during the first 9 weeks include but are not limited to: weather, components of the universe, origins of the universe, and understanding Sun, Earth and moon relationships such as seasons. 

Units covered during the second 9 weeks include but are not limited to: understanding Sun, Earth and moon relationships such as lunar phases, and tides, and plate tectonics, and topography.

Units covered during the third 9 weeks include but are not limited to:balanced and unbalanced forces , Newton’s Laws of Motion, the structure of the atom, characteristics and patterns of the Periodic Table, reading chemical formulas and equations, and signs of a chemical change.

Units covered during the fourth 9 weeks include but are not limited to: symbiotic relationships, competition for biotic and abiotic factors, effects of short- and long-term environmental changes, human dependence and impact on ocean systems.

“The coolest part of science is the experiments. My most favorite lab is the chemical reaction lab where we transition to other classrooms and to the different experiments” - Nissie 

“I love science because it is super interesting this year!” -Kenzie