Grade 8 Science

MA State Science Technology and Engineering Frameworks

Course Overview

Grade 8 Science focuses on the Physical Science Standards from the Massachusetts Science Technology and Engineering Frameworks. There are two main subjects that are covered: introduction to physics and introduction to chemistry. Physics includes major topics such as motion, forces, waves, and energy. Chemistry includes major topics such as matter and physical/chemical changes.

Motion and Forces

Learning Targets

Describe common examples of forces acting on various objects using Newton's Laws of Motion.
Calculate the speed, velocity, and acceleration of objects.
Construct and interpret motion graphs.
Use scientific evidence to argue about relationships that exist for the forces of gravity, electricity, and magnetism.

Essential Questions

How do seen and unseen forces affect our lives?

Instructional Snapshot

Students will:

Use an activity of interest to explain how Newton’s Laws apply to motion of objects.
Observe various forces through teacher demonstrations and student investigations.
Synthesize lab data in order to produce scientific analytical writing about electricity and magnetism.

Energy

Learning Targets

Graph the relationship between kinetic energy, mass, and speed of an object.
Understand the relationship between type of matter, mass, and change in average kinetic energy of particles.
Describe that thermal energy is transferred from hotter to colder objects through conduction, convection, and/or radiation.
Describe the relationship between potential and kinetic energy and how energy can change forms.

Essential Questions

How do scientists use knowledge of energy to improve the quality of our lives?
How do energy changes allow a roller coaster to travel from start to finish safely?
In what ways can we observe the Law of Conservation of Energy in our daily lives?

Instructional Snapshot

Students will:

Use rollercoasters to demonstrate potential and kinetic energy relationships.
Observe the different types of potential and kinetic energy through teacher demonstrations and student investigations.
Design a product to keep something warm or cold using knowledge of thermal energy.

Waves

Learning Targets

Distinguish between mechanical and electromagnetic waves.
Describe what happens when light, sound, and water waves interact with each other and with materials around them.
Waves can be used to send and receive energy and information.
Explain that binary code allows us to digitize information and allow it to be sent using waves.

Essential Questions

How does knowledge of waves help us understand our world better and improve the quality of our lives?
What waves can we see around us in our everyday lives?
How do waves allow us to use technology and send digital communication?

Instructional Snapshot

Students will:

Observe the different types of waves and wave interactions through teacher demonstrations, online simulations and student investigations.
Debate the benefits and drawbacks of various communication systems.

Matter and Its Interactions

Learning Targets

Distinguish between physical and chemical changes and properties of matter.
Describe each of the three main states of matter with respect to their unique particle arrangement, motion, and energy.
Differentiate between pure substances and mixtures.
Separate a simple mixture into its component parts.
Experiment with exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions to measure and describe the release and absorption of thermal energy.

Essential Questions

How do the properties of matter inform our understanding of matter and the way it can change?

Instructional Snapshot

Students will:

Model classification of matter and the Law of Conservation of Mass through hands on activities and labs.
Observe different types of physical and chemical changes through teacher demonstrations and student investigations.

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