Grade 8 Science & PLTW

8TH Grade Science Playing Periodic Table Battleship 22-23

8AL Students use their knowledge of laboratory safety to complete and escape room activity 22-23.

8RM students use their knowledge of laboratory safety to complete an escape room activity22-23.

Throughout this course, students will be introduced to a number of different science concepts. This will include atomic theory and how it relates to the periodic table, as well as chemical reactions and the dynamics of force and motion. They will also learn about genes, heredity, natural selection, and how organisms change over time. In addition, students will learn about the history of the Earth, the role of energy in the atmosphere and ocean, climate, the Earth-Sun-Moon system and the interactions of those bodies, and our solar system and its place in the universe.

For our integration of PLTW, we will begin with one of our two newest courses - App Creators. PLTW App Creators introduces students to the field of computer science and the concepts of computational thinking, through the creation of mobile apps. Students are challenged to be creative and innovative, as they collaboratively design and develop mobile solutions to engaging, authentic problems. Students experience the positive impact of the application of computer science to society as well as to other disciplines, particularly biomedical science.

The unit provides students opportunities for self-expression. Teams identify a personal or community problem of interest to them that can be solved with a mobile app solution. The problem can address issues such as health and wellness, the environment, school culture, emergency preparedness, education, community service—the options are endless!