Science — Grade 8

Exploring properties of matter with submersibles

This inquiry-based learning activity allows students to explore the relationships between mass, volume, density, and buoyancy as they manipulate various materials to construct a submersible “vehicle” for deep-sea research.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

By Miriam Sutton.

Lesson plans on the web

African Americans in science

In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students explore the careers of prominent African Americans in science, mathematics, and technology. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Air guitar

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about the virtual guitar, the brainchild of computer scientist Aki Kanerva and his colleagues at the Helsinki University of Technology in Finland. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Antibacterial sludge

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear a professor from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health describe concerns about TCC, a toxic chemical found in common products. (Learn more)

Format: activity (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Are hammerheads a keystone species?

In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn what a keystone species is and then draw a simple food chain that helps illustrate why tiger sharks are considered a keystone species in Shark Bay. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 and 8 Science)

Provider: National Geographic

Art algorithms

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about new methods of art conservation. Art conservation is traditionally a painstaking and time-consuming business. (Learn more)

Format: activity (grade 6–8 Science and Visual Arts Education)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Artificial wetlands

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about how the man-made ponds at golf courses could be used to treat polluted water. (Learn more)

Format: activity (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Asymmetry and aggression

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a study that has found a link between aggression and body symmetry that may go back to the womb. (Learn more)

Format: activity (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: 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 (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: 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 (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Bioluminescence: Living light

In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about bioluminescent creatures and the underwater world in which they live. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provider: National Geographic

Bouncing babies

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a study showing that babies responding to music showed clear preferences for the patterns they were bounced to. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: 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 (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: 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 (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: 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 (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: 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 (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Cicada cycles

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a hypothesis to explain why certain broods of cicadas only emerge every 13 or 17 years. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science and Mathematics)

Provider: 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 (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: 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 (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: 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 (grade 6–8 Science)

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science