Year 8 Science

In Year 8 the curriculum focus is on explaining phenomena involving science and its applications. Students classify different forms of energy, and describe the role of energy in causing change in systems, including the role of heat and kinetic energy in the rock cycle. They link form and function at a cellular level and explore the organisation and interconnectedness of body systems. Similarly, they explore changes in matter at a particle level, and distinguish between chemical and physical change. Students make accurate measurements and control variables in experiments to analyse relationships between system components and explore and explain these relationships using appropriate representations. They make predictions and propose explanations, drawing on evidence to support their views.

Students also learn that scientific knowledge changes as new evidence becomes available, and some scientific discoveries have significantly changed people’s understanding of the world. Science knowledge can develop through collaboration and connecting ideas across the disciplines of science. Science and technology contribute to finding solutions to a range of contemporary issues; these solutions may impact on other areas of society and involve ethical considerations. Science understanding influences the development of practices in areas of human activity such as industry, agriculture and marine and terrestrial resource management. People use understanding and skills from across the disciplines of science in their occupations.

Students identify and construct questions and problems that they can investigate scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge. They plan experiments, identifying variables to be changed, measured and controlled. They consider accuracy and ethics when planning investigations, including designing field or experimental methods. Students summarise data from different sources and construct representations of their data to reveal and analyse patterns and relationships, and use these when justifying their conclusions. They explain how modifications to methods could improve the quality of their data and apply their scientific knowledge and investigation findings to evaluate claims made by others. They use appropriate scientific language, representations and simple word equations to communicate science ideas, methods and findings.

Strands

• Science Understanding
• Science Inquiry Skills

Areas of Study

Assessment

• Practical Reports
• Tests
• Assignments
• Practical Booklets
• Semester Examination