Science 8 Overview

The 8th grade science course at PCDS is a blend of three major disciplines, Oceanography, Chemistry and Physics. Environmental science topics are woven throughout the course. The course textbook is Conceptual Physical Science by John Hewitt. Course description.

The purpose of this website is to serve students, parents and member of the PCDS community by allowing them to be more informed about the details and workings of the eighth grade science students.

 

The table below contains the elements of the course content.
To see specific activities and exercises follow the links at the bottom of the page.

	oceanography	chemistry	physics
content and topics	kelp forest ecology physical oceanography currents shorelines /coastal issues sea floor mapping life zones earth system science climate and biomes	states of matter classification of matter atomic structure and the periodic table elements and their properties chemical bonds organic and biological compounds chemical reactions acids, bases and solutions energy and heat transfer	exploring motion and forces acceleration and momentum energy and work wave energy light and color mirrors and lenses electricity and magnetism simple machines
related skills	quantitative measurement using probes and computers image processing using GIS mapping skills library research field observation and research drawing conclusions based on data	observation using probes and computers setting up a database quantitative measurement temperature pH mixing chemicals building molecular models	quantitative measurement force velocity using filters and lenses simple circuitry simple machines construction skills
enrichment activities	field trip to Catalina island designing and conducting field experiment at Catalina	element project building an atom model and multimedia presentation difficult decisions series current issues in chemistry	solar car construction water rocketry combination art / science project in architecture