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Eighth graders begin the year with nine weeks of life science through the study of ecosystems and how energy travels through a biome. In the second nine weeks students build upon the basics of chemistry. Encouraging Tomorrow's Chemists (ETC), a group of graduate students from the University of Illinois, explore with the students the nature of matter and the special chemistry of chemiluminescence and polymers. The second semester is the study of motion and energy. Topics include mechanics, structures, projectile motion, aerodynamics, and the interaction of forces. In addition each eighth grader is required to complete an independent research and development project each nine weeks. The projects are graded mainly on performance-based criteria. The purpose of the projects is to provide additional experience in process-oriented science and to provide an application of current and previous science knowledge on real problems. The primary textbook used is the Holt Science and Technology Physical Science 2001 series. |
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