Grade 8

Marking Period

MSU course

1

September – November

1. Science practice and materials. Students will do and activity “Oobleck –what scientists do?” Oobleck is a green, oozy substance (from “outer space,” in this fictional account) that both begs and eludes description as it initiates students in the nature of inquiry and definition and sparks vigorous debate about its properties.

2. Students will be challenged to determine which of several black pens was used to write a ransom note. They will explore the concepts of solubility, pigments, and separation of mixtures as they use chromatography to ferret out the culprit.

2

November – January

1. Students will participate in an investigation of groundwater contamination in the fictional city of Fruitvale. Students design and carry out a plan for testing water from different parts of the city to determine the contamination’s source, severity, extent, and rate of travel. These data are used to analyze the risk to Fruitvale’s water supply. Students then read about several clean-up options and participate in a role play of a town meeting to decide which clean-up option to use. Students are assessed on their ability to analyze data.

3

February – April

1. Students conduct simulated research at key geological sites around the world. Their investigations range from the bottom of the ocean to the top of Mount Everest.  Classroom models of erupting volcanoes, strike-slip faults, rock layers, and sea-floor spreading will help reveal the dynamic nature of the Earth’s crust.

2. Students model how to harness the geothermal energy that is generated and stored in the ground. Student groups design their own model to demonstrate the use of geothermal energy and compete with each other to implement the most effective design. They will demonstrate their knowledge of surface area and heat transfer.

4

April – June

Students understand hydroelectric power and discover how emerging energies can change the way we develop and convert electric energy. Students observe a hand generator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Student groups then design their own water wheel and compete with other groups to implement the most effective design.

2. DDT-quest Students will engage in a debate over a proposal to re-introduce the use of DDT because of the surge and potential epidemic of “South Ramford River Virus” (SRRV) which could infect thousands of people and tens of thousands of birds in Ramford County. They will analyze data about the SRRV virus, the mosquito vector, the possible hosts, the pest control options, and the risks and potential benefits of reintroducing DDT.