Grade 8 Science Course Content
Unit 1: The Nature of Science
· Understanding and using the metric system
· Using the scientific method to answer a density question
· Understanding all Earth processes are a result of energy flowing and matter cycling within and among the Earths systems
Unit 2: Atoms
· Identify the major parts of an atom
· Understand the different states of matter
· Describe how atoms react with each other to create molecules
Unit 3: Geosphere
· Define what a mineral is
· Identify minerals using their physical characteristics
· Understand mining issues
· Define the three rock families and understand their relationships in the rock cycle
· Identify rocks using their physical characteristics
· Understand plate tectonics and the forces that drive it
· Understand the geologic history of Wisconsin
Unit 4: Hydrosphere
· Identify the three phases of water
· Understand the water cycle
· Describe what changes the density of water
· Understand sunlight and gravity cause water movement
· Describe how water is an erosional force
Unit 5: Atmosphere
· Understand how the Sun powers weather
· Explain what causes the seasons
· Describe the makeup of the atmosphere
· Calculate relative humidity
· Understand how clouds form
· Identify air masses and fronts
· Explore severe weather; thunderstorms, lightning, tornados
Unit 6: Solar System
· Understand the motion of the Sun, moon, and the stars can be observed, describe, predicted, and explained with models
· Describe the birth of the universe and the Big Bang Theory
· Discovering nuclear fusion in stars
· Understanding gravitational forces between bodies
Final Science Project
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