Grade 8 — Science
NGSS Aligned
Grade 8 — Science
Grade 8 Science explores DNA, inheritance, and evolution in life science, atomic structure and chemical reactions in physical science, and the solar system and space science in earth science — aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards.
Units & Topics Covered
3 units · 18 topics
Life Science: Evolution & Genetics
- DNA structure: double helix, base pairs, and the genetic code
- Protein synthesis: transcription and translation overview
- Patterns of inheritance: dominant, recessive, codominance, incomplete dominance
- Evidence for evolution: fossil record, comparative anatomy, DNA sequencing
- Natural selection: variation, selection pressure, adaptation, and fitness
- Mechanisms of speciation and macroevolution
Physical Science: Atoms & Reactions
- Atomic structure: protons, neutrons, electrons, and atomic number
- Organisation of the periodic table: periods, groups, and trends
- Chemical bonding: ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds (introduction)
- Writing and balancing chemical equations
- Law of conservation of mass in chemical reactions
- Energy transformations: kinetic, potential, thermal, and chemical energy
Earth & Space Science
- The scale and structure of the universe; the Big Bang theory
- Life cycle of stars: nebula, main sequence, red giant, and stellar remnants
- Galaxies: types, structure, and our place in the Milky Way
- The solar system in detail: planetary characteristics, moons, and orbits
- Earth's rotation and revolution: day, year, and seasons
- Space exploration: satellites, space telescopes, and missions to Mars
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