YEAR 8 SCIENCE

COURSE OUTLINE 2016

Welcome to Year 8 Science
During the year you will explore aspects of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy to develop an understanding of Science and how it
explains the world around us. You will learn how to investigate, how to be an effective scientific communicator and be able to make informed decisions on
scientific issues. Through a focus on the Habits of Mind you will further develop the key competencies of thinking; relating to others; understanding language,
symbols and texts; managing self and participating and contributing.
Term 1:
The N ight Sky.
This unit explores the
Astronom ical cycles
that occur in our planet.
You w ill also explaore
the other planets of the
solar system . There w ill
be an EOTC trip to the
Stardom e and Cornw all
park trip on
16/03/2016.
Colourful Chem istry.
You w ill study acids and
alkalis as classes of
chem icals and you use
indicators to determ ine
w hether solutions are
acidic, alkaline or
neutral. You w ill learn
about the pH scale and
begin to explore the
concept of
neutralisation. As you
carry out practical w ork,
you w ill m ake
observations identify
patterns and interpret
your findings

Term 2:
M icrob es
In this unit you w ill
learn how to use a
M icroscope and how to
prepare slides to view
under a m icroscope.
This w ill lead into the
study of
m icroorganism s
Bacteria, Fungi and
Viruses.

Your creative, hands on inquiry learning journey will be assessed by:

Mini tests at the end of the unit to check your understanding of the Science studied.
Skill based assessments, which focus on experimental, investigative and research skills.
Task assessments within the unit such as projects and posters.

Term 3:
Energetic Transfers.
The focus in this unit is
on energy and energy
transfers. You w ill
exam ine types of
energy, energy chains,
heat and change of
state and heat transfer.
You will learn how to
use the particle m odel
to explain scientific
phenom enon and
develop your ideas
through practical
experience and
discussion.

Term 4:
C hem ical
C lassifi cation
As you learn about
m aterials, you will
explore the elem ents
that they are m ade of.
You w ill study chem ical
change and learn how
to distinguish betw een
elem ents and
com pounds. Throughout
the unit you w ill be
introduced to chem ical
language and learn
about sym bols and
sim ple form ulae.

We hope that you have a successful and enjoyable year of Science and look forward to supporting you with your journey of exploration.