Topic outline

  • Course Introduction

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    8th grade science involves an active exploration of science covering the Michigan Science Standards.  An emphasis is placed on learning to think and act scientifically, sharpening problem solving skills, and exploring science concepts.  Topics include astronomy, plate tectonics, weather and climate, and water quality.  You will learn how to solve real world problems and apply concepts to the world around us. 

  • Unit 1: Astronomy

    Overview of unit

    In this Astronomy Unit, students are exploring both physics and space science concepts, from electromagnetic waves, gravity and inertia, to the sun-earth-moon system.  There is a strong emphasis on a systems approach as they develop and use models of the solar system to explain astronomical and other observations of the cyclic patterns of seasons, moon phases and eclipses.

     The first segment of the unit begins with students discovering and appreciating the immense sizes, ages and distance in our solar system and even the universe.  The second segment of the unit is on the apparent motion of the Sun and stars daily and throughout the year.  Students make observations of the Suns position throughout the day and collect data of the changes to a gnomons shadow.  They use these observations to develop a model for two general movement’s, rotation and revolution.

     Once the foundations of these basic movements are developed, students build off this model by examining the relationship between the Sun and the Earth and the cause of seasons. The unit culminates when students are asked by the Citizens for Scientific Integrity to do the fact checking and build a case to verify or refute the accuracy of the Moon phases shown in the movie ET: The Extra Terrestrial. In order to gather evidence, students use models to learn about the special relationship between the Sun, Earth and its moon.

    Unit calendar


     

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     Intro

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     Astronomy

     

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    Standards

    MS-ESS1 Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons.
    MS-ESS1-2 Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.
    MS-PS2-4 Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on the masses of interacting objects.

    MS-ESS1-3 Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.

    Essential Questions

    Unit Problem:  What caused the organization of the universe and what effect does it have on Earth?
    Guiding Questions:
    What is the size and structure of the universe and how does it move?
    What does the motion of the sun and stars in the sky tell us about Earths place in the universe?
    How can the motion of Earth explain seasons, eclipses and phases of the moon?