Science — Grade 8

We all live downstream

This lesson uses the North American Streamside exhibit of the North Carolina Zoological Park as an inquiry-based starting point for a stream ecology study.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–10 English Language Arts and Science)

By Eddie Hamblin.

Water quality

In Critical thinking in science, page 5

Students will experiment with water quality and several common pollutants. They will focus on their local water source and determine the effects of their actions on the quality of their water source and the organisms that rely on it. Students will design a water-monitoring plan to evaluate the health of the water source.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts and Science)

By Daniell DiFrancesca.

Pollution plume

The students will simulate a plume to illustrate point source and non-point source pollution.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

By Jennifer Smith.

Introducing students to environmental justice: A North Carolina case study

This lesson plan for science and social studies uses the 5E model to have students consider an environmental justice case study.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science and Social Studies)

By Dana Haine.

The drought causes conservation

The students will use their knowledge of the importance of water to learn about the hydrosphere. The drought being experienced will be explored through graphs and a personal plan for water conservation.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 English Language Arts and Science)

By Linda Cummer.

A case study of "A Civil Action"

In Bringing current science into the classroom, page 3

This is a short, culminating activity that can be used to assess your students' understanding of the steps needed to determine if a water source is contaminated and how it got that way, and to suggest possible methods of cleanup or remediation. Students review a portion of the film “A Civil Action” and identify the problem and the people involved. Students then take the role of environmental scientist and apply their knowledge of water and hazardous waste contamination to create a plan to help lawyer, Jan Schlichtmann, try the case.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science)

By Michele Kloda and Dana Haine.

The case of the disappearing pitcher plants

This lesson addresses the cause and effect relationship between human interaction and a North Carolina endangered plant species. A role-playing scenario allows students to view the situation from a variety of positions and to collectively arrive at a solution to the problem.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Science)

By Eddie Hamblin.

Resources on the web

Why is oceanography important?

In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about some of the important discoveries that oceanographers have made and some areas that they are investigating. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Where Do Your Possessions Come From?

It's important for geography students to learn about the Earth's natural resources and the ways that people use these resources. It's also important for students to recognize that there are always environmental and human impacts related to the resource... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Science and Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Water, water everywhere

In this Xpeditions lesson, students examine differences in the availability of fresh drinking water around the world. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

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

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

Preservation issues: Competing interests

In this lesson, students explore scientist, Mark Olson's efforts to identify extinct or nearly extinct plants, and consider the issues surrounding conservation efforts in a variety of contexts. Activities in this lesson engage students in small group collaboration,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Science)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Harvesting the ocean for medical science

In this Xpeditions lesson, students are introduced to two marine species, one (the horseshoe crab) that is currently invaluable in the field of medicine and another (Bugula neritina) that is likely to prove beneficial in the future. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Ecosystem Services - Water Purification

This lesson teaches students the importance of healthy ecosystems by investigating the example of natural water purification. Students will learn how ecosystems remove pollution from the water and how much it costs humans to do this artificially once ecosystems... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 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

Adopt a lot

Students identify a place in the community that needs to be improved and develop a plan to renew the area. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Science)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink