8th Grade Science introduces students to higher level thinking, with the main topics including the Nature of Science, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Life Science.

The big ideas that we will explore include:

• Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science
• Big Idea 2: The Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge
• Big Idea 3: Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses & Models
• Big Idea 4: Science and Society
• Big Idea 5: Earth in Space and Time
• Big Idea 8: Properties of Matter
• Big Idea 9: Changes in Matter
• Big Idea 18: Matter and Energy Transformations

Laboratory investigations that include the use of scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, laboratory apparatus and technologies, experimental procedures, and safety procedures are an integral part of this course. Students at this level will be in the lab or field, collecting data every week. Laboratory investigations will help all students to develop a growing understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills to calibrate and troubleshoot equipment used to make observations

8^th Grade Science

8th Grade Science - Course Syllabus
web page, click here
MS Word document, click here

State of Florida Life Science NGSSS Standards
MS Word Document, click here

State of Florida Nature of Science NGSSS Standards
MS Word Document, click here

Requirements of a Lab Report
web page, click here
MS Word Document, click here

As we go through the course, I'll be updating the content on a regular basis. Below includes both an outline of what we will be covering, and some linked documents

As we go through the course, I'll be updating the content on a regular basis. Below includes both an outline of what we will be covering, and some linked documents

Unit Organizer - 8th Grade Science - Nature of Science - Adobe PDF Document, click here

Junior High Science - Setting Up Your Interactive Science Notebook - MS PowerPoint Document, click here

Scientific Method and Reasoning - MS PowerPoint Document, click here

Nature of Science Vocabulary Words - Adobe PDF Document, click here

more stuff to come....

Unit 2: The Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge

" Modifying Scientific Theories
" Modeling and System Theory
" Science and Society

Unit 3. The Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses, and Models

" Theories and Laws
" The Benefits and Limitations of Scientific Models

Unit 4. Science and Society

" Becoming Tomorrows Citizens and the Role of Science in This Process
" Identify Societal Issues About Which Science Can Provide Input
" Develop Scientific Recommendations Based Upon Current Data

Article Abstract 1
MS Word Document, click here

Article Abstract 2
MS Word Document, click here

Some old but perhaps useful stuff below------------------------------------

Soils and Biology
PowerPoint document, click here
web page, click here

Soils Analysis & Experimental Technique
PowerPoint document, click here
web page, click here

Soil Analysis Lab Procedures
web page, click here
MS Word Document, click here

Soil Analysis Sample Lab Results
web page, click here
MS Word Document, click here

Basic Chemistry and Biochemistry
PowerPoint document, click here
web page, click here

What is pH?
PowerPoint document, click here
web page, click here

Biochemistry Lab Acids and Bases
web page, click here
MS Word Document, click here

Biology Lab - Invisible Life at SPHS
web page, click here
MS Word document, click here

Biology Lecture Notes - Cell Theory
web page, click here
MS Word document, click here

Biology Lecture Notes - Cell Reproduction
web page, click here
MS Word document, click here

Biology Lecture Notes - Evolution and Natural Selection
web page, click here
MS Word document, click here

Biology Lecture Notes - Genetics and Heredity
web page, click here
MS Word document, click here

The Process of Mitosis Illustrated, click here

How to make a microscopic blood smear, click here

How to use a microscope (.pdf file), click here

Petri Dish Setup Guide (.tif file), click here

Miscellaneous Stuff

Arizona Feature Map
for image, click here

The Parts of a Mushroom
for image, click here

Cell Organelles Image
for image, click here

Adapt and Survive Activity
for .pdf, click here

Lab Techniques Observations of Living Primate Behavior and Morphology Biology

web page, click here
MS Word document, click here

Primates and Primate Evolution Biology Lecture Notes
web page, click here
MS Word document, click here

Human Biology Biology Lecture Notes
web page, click here
MS Word document, click here

Squid Dissection Notes click here

Squid Dissection Graphics click here

end of the oldie-moldies stuff------------------------------------

Back to the Science Department Home Page, click here.

John A. Giacobbe