Science — Grade 8

Winter advisory: The effect of salt on the freezing point of water

In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 5.9

In this lesson, students complete a lab to help them understand the effect of salt on the freezing point of water. Students discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using salt as a de-icing and anti-icing agent on roads.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

By Tammy Johnson and Martha Tedrow.

Forensic scientists: Identifying unknown substances

In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 5.10

In this lesson, students use the physical properties of three mystery substances to determine their identities. Students discuss how these skills apply to careers in forensic science.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

By Tammy Johnson and Martha Tedrow.

Discovering elements online

Students will work independently and in small groups to research assigned elements on the internet with sites given in advance. They will then contribute to a class database with their individual information. The database will then be made available for students to again work independently and in pairs to answer questions created from a class discussion to discover relationships about the elements.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

By Trish Loudermilt.

Density of common liquids

Each lab team will determine the density of water and one of the sample liquids. The class will then compile their information.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics and Science)

By Sansia Coble.

Resources on the web

Pizza cheese

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear why the cheese on pizza tastes different when it is reheated versus when it is originally baked. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Liquid density and oil spills

Students will conduct a simple experiment demonstrating the variable densities of corn syrup, water, glycerin, and vegetable oil. Students will then transfer this concept to an examination of cleanup methods used in the Exxon Valdez oil spill. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

It's a crash test, Dummy

This lesson begins with an Internet exploration of how air bags in cars were developed to solve a very practical problem: saving lives in automobile accidents. It also examines some of the safety issues surrounding air bags. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science