Grade 8 - Science

MS:Physical Science (Credit: 1.00)

The Physical Science course begins with an investigation of the elements of matter and their properties and states, followed by a study of chemical compounds, chemical bonds, and reactions. Next, students turn their attention to the topics of motion, forces, and energy, followed by an investigation of magnetism and electricity, including semiconductors and digital devices. The course concludes with a study of wave phenomena, including sound, light, and radio waves

MS:Physical Science: Chemical Building Blocks (Credit: 0.20)

In this unit, students investigate matter and explore its properties and states. They learn how the elements of matter are organized in the periodic table and examine different types of materials, including metals, ceramics, and radioactive substances.

MS:Physical Science: Chemical Interactions (Credit: 0.20)

In this unit, students explore the nature of atoms and elements. They learn how elements form compounds with chemical bonds and how compounds are changed during chemical reactions. They also learn about solutions, acids, and bases.

MS:Physical Science: Electricity and Magnetism (Credit: 0.20)

In this unit, students investigate magnetism and electricity. They learn how magnetic fields are formed and how electric charges flow in circuits using either direct or alternating current. They also learn about electromagnetic devices such solenoids, motors, generators, and transformers. The unit concludes with a study of semiconductors and digital devices, including computers.

MS:Physical Science: Motion, Forces and Energy (Credit: 0.20)

In this unit, students learn how to describe and measure motion. They explore the nature and types of force as they study Newton's three laws of motion and learn about simple machines. Students also examine different forms of energy, including thermal energy, and study energy transformation and conservation.

MS:Physical Science: Sound and Light (Credit: 0.20)

In this unit, students investigate the properties and interactions of waves. First they explore the nature and properties of sound waves, including loudness, pitch, and speed. Next, students examine waves in the electromagnetic spectrum, including radio waves and visible light. They learn how colors are produced, and how images are formed through reflection and refraction. Various technologies are also presented, including ultrasound, lasers, fiber optics, and wireless communication.

Science 8 (Credit: 1.00)

In this course, students will study atoms and elements, chemical reactions, matter and energy, force, work and machines, types of waves, ecosystems, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, weathering, erosion and deposition, and the power of water.