Science — Grade 8

Resources on the web

Finger length

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a study that looks to finger length for signs of a man's pre-natal exposure to testosterone. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Fatherly fish

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about one type of fish that shows fatherly behavior. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Eye tracking

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear how scientists can measure the way we process language by observing people's eye movements. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Extending human ability through technology

The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to explore how technology has been used to enhance human abilities. Students also learn something about human capabilities and limitations. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Dryer sheets

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear how the old saying “opposites attract” relates to your laundry. Positively charged particles are attracted to negatively charged particles, which can cause static cling in clothing. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Drug cravings

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about new research in rats that reveals why staying off drugs can be so difficult. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Dogs and their owners

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a study looking into whether the stereotype that dogs and their owners look alike is actually true. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Diving in to save the monk seal

In this Xpeditions lesson, students use the Internet to learn about monk seal research and an ecosystem reserve that has been established in part to protect the seals. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Dangerous hail

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students ear why hail rarely seems to hit people. Every year, tornadoes, hurricanes, and snowstorms claim lives and cause injuries. But strangely, hailstorms, which pelt the ground with hard balls of ice, rarely... (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Contaminants in the water cycle

In this Xpeditions lesson, students review the water cycle and investigate how a region's water supply can become contaminated. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Computerized civilization

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a computer program designed to help answer some of the questions surrounding the mysterious disappearance of the Anasazi. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 5–8 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Cold sensors

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, University of Florida neuroscientist Jiango Gu explains how he and his colleagues are looking for sensory molecules, called receptors, that can sense cold. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Clumsy kids

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about the reasons many adolescents feel awkward and clumsy. Growth spurts may be to blame for teenagers' sometimes klutzy behavior. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Clocking T. rex

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about how one of the most popular movies in history used special effects that were not only exciting, but also scientifically accurate. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Cell phones & driving

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about how cell phones could cause tunnel vision in drivers. Research indicates that when someone is talking on a phone, their vision narrows considerably. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Cell phone traffic

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a new use for cell phone signals. Many people stuck in traffic pass the time or take care of business by making calls on their cell phone. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Cassowary calls

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about efforts to study the rare and often inaudible call of an elusive bird--the cassowary. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Browsing music

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a powerful music browser called SIMAC. Xavier Serra of the Pompeu Fabrea University in Barcelona, Spain, explains how SIMAC analyzes the musical properties of a digital audio track. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Biblical tunnel

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about how scientists have proven that one Bible story is right on track. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Bacterial batteries

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about how one group of scientists has found a way to put bacteria to work. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science