Grade 8 Physical Science

In Grade 8 Physical Science, students gain an in depth understanding of the nature and structure of matter and the characteristics of energy. The Physical Science standards continue to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by asking questions and defining problems, planning, and carrying out investigations, interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data, constructing, and critiquing conclusions and explanations, developing, and using models, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information. In addition, students will complete an independent experimental or engineering design project.

Students will investigate and understand that:

• matter is composed of atoms.
• matter has properties and is conserved in chemical and physical processes.
• the periodic table is a model used to organize elements based on their atomic structure.
• energy is conserved.
• waves are important in the movement of energy.
• electromagnetic radiation has characteristics.
• work, force, and motion are related.
• there are basic principles of electricity and magnetism.