Science 8
The Instructor for this course is Leona McLeod
Course History
First Offered in 2016
Developed by Cara Hauber
"The aim of K-12 science education is to enable all Saskatchewan student to develop scientific literacy….Diverse learning experiences based on the outcomes in this curriculum provide students with many opportunities to explore, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, appreciate, and understand the interrelationships among science, technology, society , and the environment (STSE) that will affect their personal lives, their careers, and their future."
Science 8 Aims & Goals, http://www.curriculum.gov.sk.ca/index.jsp?view=goals&lang=en&subj=science&level=8
Course Information
"Science 8 is part of the core curriculum for this grade. Students will explore scientific concepts, discover theories and perform investigations based on the following topics:
Science 8
Unit 1: Cells, Tissues, Organs, and Systems – (9 weeks)
In this Life Science Unit, we will investigate what cells are and how they function. We will then expand upon that knowledge to examine how the human body functions.
Chapter 1 - Nature's Building Blocks (3 weeks)
Chapter 2 - Using a Microscope (1 week)
Chapter 3 - From Cells to Systems (2 weeks)
Chapter 4 - The Human Body Works Together (3 weeks)
Unit 2: Optics and Vision – (9 weeks)
Why does light pass through some materials and not others? How can knowledge of how light passes through materials help us to improve our vision? Why are different wavelengths of light useful? All these questions (and more!) will be answered in this unit of study.
Chapter 1 - Properties of Visible Light (3 weeks)
Chapter 2 - Optics-Related Technologies (2 weeks)
Chapter 3 - The Human Eye (2 weeks)
Chapter 4 - The Electromagnetic Spectrum (2 weeks)
Unit 3: Forces, Fluids and Density – (10 weeks)
Begin with the Particle Theory of Matter to help understand such terms as buoyancy, density, viscosity and compressibility.
Chapter 1 – WHMIS (1 week)
Chapter 2 - Density and the Particle Theory (2 weeks)
Chapter 3 – Buoyancy (3 weeks)
Chapter 4 - Viscosity and Compressibility (2 weeks)
Chapter 5 - Fluid Systems (2 weeks)
Unit 4: Water Systems on Earth – (8 weeks)
Investigate ecosystems within Canada and discover the impacts of both human and nature to those ecosystems.
Chapter 1 - Impact of Change on Water Systems (3 weeks)
Chapter 2 - Forces Shaping the Landscape (2.5 weeks)
Chapter 3 - Marine and Fresh Water Environments (2.5 weeks)
Part of this course will involve performing demonstrations and experiments using items that are commonly found at home. There will many opportunities for students to create their own investigations or presentations, based on their interests and skill levels."
