Science — Grade 8

Newspaper coverage of the first flight

In North Carolina in the early 20th century, page 1.8

In North Carolina History: A Sampler, page 4.6

Newspaper article about the Wright brothers' first flight in December 1903, written from an intercepted telegram sent by the brothers to their father in Ohio. Historical commentary points out the differences between the version of events that reached the public and what actually happened.

Format: newspaper/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Technological artifacts and the evolution of the student desk

In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 5.2

In this lesson, students discuss a variety of definitions for the word technology and the relationships between technology, science, and society.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science and Social Studies)

By Tammy Johnson and Martha Tedrow.

Good medicine

Students will examine changes in technology, medicine, and health that took place in North Carolina between 1870 and 1930 and construct products and ideas which demonstrate understanding of how these changes impacted people living in North Carolina at that time. To achieve these goals, students will employ the eight intelligences of Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies)

By Leslie Ramsey.

Resources on the web

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

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

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

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

Robotic arm

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about a real-life robotic arm that may help stroke victims regain control of their movement. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 6–7 and 9–12 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Robot farmers

In this Science Update from Science NetLinks, students hear about how cheap robots may revolutionize farming. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Pottery quest

In this Science NetLinks lesson, the first in a two-part series on pottery making, students learn that the production of ceramic pottery requires detailed knowledge of the physical properties of different clays and tempering materials, as well as knowledge... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Pilot whales' social behavior

In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about pilot whales' sociability and bonding and consider how National Geographic's Crittercam (a camera worn by wildlife to provide information about animal behavior) might help scientists learn more about ocean... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Phone fibbing

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a study that shows that people's likelihood of lying depends on the communication technology they're using. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

The little transistor that could

The purpose of this lesson is to explore the nature of technology through the history of the transistor. In this investigation students will look at the development of a technology that has had a huge impact on modern life—the transistor. Students... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

An introduction to remote sensing

This lesson combines several resources from NASA's Observatorium to teach about remote sensing. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 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

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