New Brunswick · Grade 8
Science, Grade 8
New Brunswick’s Grade 8 science course, from Motion & Stability to Learning and Living Sustainably.
- Units
- 5
- Lessons
- 6
- Skills
- 20
- Provincial exam
- Yes
- Official curriculum
- gnb.ca
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, numbered by unit.
Unit 1 · 3 skills
Motion & Stability
Describing Motion and Forces
Describing motion
I can describe motion using direction, speed, acceleration, rotation, and revolution.
Skill 1.1
Force, area, and pressure
I can explain force as a push or pull and how it relates to pressure and area.
Skill 1.2
Kinds of forces
I can identify contact, gravitational, and muscular forces.
Skill 1.3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- 1.1
- Qualitative descriptions of motion: Direction of movement, time taken to travel a set distance, acceleration, rotation and revolution
- 1.2
- Force as a physical property: Push-pull, area, and pressure
- 1.3
- Forces and Interactions: Contact, gravitational, and muscular
Key ideas
Motion has a direction and a speed (how far in how much time).
Acceleration is a change in speed or direction.
Rotation is spinning around your own axis (Earth's day).
Revolution is moving around another object (Earth around the Sun).
A force is a push or a pull.
Watch out for
- Confusing rotation (spinning in place) with revolution (orbiting another object).
- Thinking acceleration only means speeding up - slowing down and turning are also acceleration.
- Thinking force and pressure are the same - pressure depends on the area too.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 3 skills
Laws of Motion
Newton's Laws of Motion
Hypothesis, theory, and law
I can explain the difference between a hypothesis, a theory, and a law.
Skill 2.1
The law of gravity
I can explain that gravity accelerates falling objects at about 9.8 m/s/s.
Skill 2.2
Newton's three laws
I can state Newton's three laws and give an example of each.
Skill 2.3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- 2.1
- Definitions: Hypothesis, theory and law
- 2.2
- Law of Gravity: force, 9.8 m/s/s
- 2.3
- Newton’s Laws: 1st Law: Inertia, net force, balanced and unbalanced forces; 2nd Law: Effects of force and mass on acceleration; and 3rd Law: Action-reaction, Forces in pairs
Key ideas
A hypothesis is a testable prediction or possible explanation.
A theory is a well-supported explanation backed by lots of evidence.
A law describes what happens, often in a reliable pattern or formula.
In science, 'theory' means well-tested, not 'just a guess'.
Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward Earth.
Watch out for
- Thinking a scientific theory is just a guess - it is a well-supported explanation.
- Thinking a law explains why - a law describes what happens; a theory explains why.
- Thinking heavier objects always fall faster - without air resistance they fall the same.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 3 skills
Space Exploration
Exploring Space
The solar system
I can describe the solar system and Earth's place in it.
Skill 3.1
Space travel and rockets
I can explain how rockets work and what challenges space travel involves.
Skill 3.2
Living and working in space
I can describe the hazards of living in space and how it affects the human body.
Skill 3.3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- 3.1
- Solar System: Earth’s place in the universe; Movement of celestial body e.g., rotation, revolution; types of celestial objects e.g. NEO, planets, moons, stars
- 3.2
- Space Travel: Aeronautics – Rockets, propulsion, fuel, navigation and steering, and atmospheric drag; Spaceships – Design and construction, parts of a rocket, form and function e.g. the ISS modular design; and Propulsion – hydraulics, gravity, atmospheric drag, and friction
- 3.3
- Living and working in space: Hazards, Zero-gravity, effect on human systems
Key ideas
The solar system is the Sun and everything orbiting it.
Celestial objects include planets, moons, stars, and near-Earth objects (NEOs).
Planets revolve around the Sun and rotate on their axes.
Earth is one planet orbiting one ordinary star among billions.
A rocket pushes gas out the back and is pushed forward (Newton's 3rd law).
Watch out for
- Thinking the Sun orbits Earth - Earth and the planets orbit the Sun.
- Thinking stars and planets are the same - stars produce their own light.
- Thinking rockets push against the air to move - they work by pushing out their own exhaust.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 2 skills
Technological Applications
Space Technology
Space robotics: the Canadarm
I can describe how space robotics like the Canadarm are used.
Skill 4.1
Remote sensing and satellites
I can explain how telescopes and satellites gather information from space and about Earth.
Skill 4.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 4.1
- Robotics: Canadarm (1 and 2)
- 4.2
- Remote sensing; telescopes; RADARSTAT satellites
Key ideas
Robots do work in space that is dangerous or difficult for astronauts.
The Canadarm is a Canadian-built robotic arm used on the space shuttle and station.
Robotic arms can move and repair equipment and capture spacecraft.
Robotics extend human ability in the harsh environment of space.
Remote sensing means gathering information from a distance.
Watch out for
- Thinking only astronauts do work in space - robots do a great deal of it.
- Thinking robots act completely on their own - they are controlled and programmed by people.
- Thinking satellites float still above one spot randomly - they orbit at high speed.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 5 · 9 skills
Learning and Living Sustainably
Surviving and Exploring Space
Space hazards
I can describe the main hazards astronauts face in space.
Skill 5.1
Human survival in space
I can explain how astronauts maintain their well-being and how zero gravity affects the body.
Skill 5.2
History of space exploration
I can describe key milestones in space exploration and how countries and agencies work together.
Skill 5.3
Space traffic and space junk
I can explain what space junk is and why it is a growing problem.
Skill 5.4
Cost-benefit of space exploration
I can weigh the costs and benefits of space exploration and form a reasoned opinion.
Skill 5.5
Careers in space science
I can name careers connected to space exploration and describe what they do.
Skill 5.6
Science and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
I can connect space science to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Skill 5.7
Space Technology on Earth
Space technology in everyday life
I can give examples of everyday technologies that came from space research.
Skill 5.8
Space technology and climate change
I can explain how satellites and remote sensing help us monitor Earth's environment and climate.
Skill 5.9
The official wording · 9 outcomes
- 5.1
- Space Hazards: Radiation, isolation, distance from Earth, gravity fields, hostile/closed environments
- 5.2
- Human Survival: wellness: mental and physical well-being; Zero-gravity: body systems and functions
- 5.3
- History of space exploration: Successes, failures, and milestones, partnerships between Canadian and International space agencies e.g. NASA, ESA, and UN Space agency
- 5.4
- Exosphere (space) traffic: Reusable rockets, space junk
- 5.5
- Cost - benefit analysis of space exploration
- 5.6
- Life and career pathways science literate citizen, astronaut, biomedical engineer, astrophysicist, computer/information systems scientist, science policy analyst, software engineer, project manager, space artist
- 5.7
- Science and the UN Sustainable Development Goals: Good Health and Well-Being [SDG 3], Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure [SDG 9], Climate Action [SDG 13], and Partnership for the Goals [SDG 17]
- 5.8
- Space technology and innovation used in every life: Memory foam, CAT scans, Water purification systems, scratch resistant eyeglass lenses
- 5.9
- Space technologies and Climate Change: Earth observation techniques, global environment monitoring, and remote sensing
Key ideas
Space has harmful radiation that Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field normally block.
Research done for space missions often leads to inventions used on Earth.
Astronauts are far from Earth and isolated, which is hard physically and mentally.
Memory foam was developed to cushion astronauts and is now in mattresses.
There is no breathable air, so a spacecraft is a closed, controlled environment.
Watch out for
- Thinking space is empty and therefore safe - it is full of hazards like radiation and vacuum.
- Thinking space research only benefits astronauts - many everyday products come from it.
- Thinking astronauts can breathe in space - there is no air, so everything must be supplied.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Plan the term
Pick your term and the days you study. Each unit gets its share of the weeks and comes back a week later for a review. The last two weeks go over the whole course.
The official curriculum
This page follows New Brunswick’s own curriculum for Science, Grade 8.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Science, Grade 8 one skill at a time. Each skill gets a short lesson, practice as you go and a check worth up to three stars. It remembers where you stopped.
Course Companion
Your year in one workbook
A fun way to keep Science, Grade 8 organized, get to know your child better and see early when they need a hand. Fill it in on a screen, or print it.
- Pages
- 31
- Fillable fields
- 1,302
- Price
- $4.99
Questions about Science, Grade 8
What is Science, Grade 8?
New Brunswick’s Grade 8 science course: 5 units and 20 skills, from Motion & Stability to Learning and Living Sustainably.
What units are in Science, Grade 8?
1. Motion & Stability, 2. Laws of Motion, 3. Space Exploration, 4. Technological Applications and 5. Learning and Living Sustainably.
Is there a provincial exam for Science, Grade 8?
Yes. The Grade 8 Scientific Literacy Assessment is written in New Brunswick. Next sitting: May 10, 2027.
What comes after Science, Grade 8?
Science, Grade 9.
Can MapleMind help with Science, Grade 8?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Science, Grade 8, step by step, with practice and checks, and its tutor answers questions about any of them. It’s free with daily limits, on iPhone, Android and the web.
Get ready for Science, Grade 8
Practise every skill of Science, Grade 8 in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
