Science — Grade 8

Resources on the web

When natural hazards become human disasters

In this Xpeditions lesson, students gain a better understanding of natural events and consider the dangers that natural hazards and natural disasters pose to humans. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Wheelchairs

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about an organization that counts on some of the world's poorest countries to develop some of the most innovative new ideas in wheelchair design and manufacturing. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

What's my hypothesis?

In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore how descriptive epidemiological clues can be used to make educated guesses as to what might be the cause of a disease. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

What's in a graph?

Students learn how to use and interpret graphs. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics and Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

West Nile weather

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear how hot summers can mean a higher risk for West Nile virus epidemics from an atmospheric scientist at the Illinois State Water Survey. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Vanilla medicine

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about how a modified form of vanilla may someday help treat sickle-cell disease. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

A trip to the beach?

Students investigate the truth behind common myths about sharks and shark attacks, learning why sharks are important members of the ecosystem. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Tree core models

In this Science NetLinks lesson, students make models of three tree core samples using data collected from trees that grew in the same general area of Alaska. They analyze their models and make predictions about the trees' growing conditions based on their... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Time flies

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about why people feel like time flies when engaging in stimulating activities. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Threats to ocean life: Can marine sanctuaries help?

is lesson, from Xpeditions, provides an opportunity for students to learn about environmental problems in the oceans and how marine sanctuaries can help protect ocean habitats. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Thought-controlled robotics

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about research into the development of robotic limbs that can be controlled by thought alone. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

T. Rex bully

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about research into whether T. rex was a hunter or a scavenger. Science Updates are audio interviews with scientists and are accompanied by a set of questions as well as links to related science... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Squirrel hoarding

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about how the loss of gray squirrels is affecting forests. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Sports rankings

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear how mathematicians at the Rochester Institute of Technology are suggesting changes to the ranking systems in sports. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Snow goggles

The aim of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to illustrate how the scientific method can be used to solve different kinds of problems. As part of this lesson, students build snow goggles similar to those used by the Inuit peoples. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Smelling diseases

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about how doctors are developing a kind of sniff test to screen for diseases. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Smallest thing

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about the challenge of selecting the smallest living creature, based on how we define such an organism. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Sleuthing for a lost ship

In this Xpeditions lesson, students consider the ways in which geography is not merely an academic discipline but also a field of study with interesting and practical applications. Students will: learn about Ballard's work by exploring... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Skull diversity

In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore the similarities and differences of animal skulls. The students examine skulls that are part of an online exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Similarities attract

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a study showing that genetic similarities may play a role in how people choose their friends and mates. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science