Science, Grade 8

Unit 1: Motion & Stability

Describing motion and forces: qualitative descriptions of motion (acceleration, rotation, revolution), force as a physical property (push-pull, area, pressure), and the kinds of forces and interactions (contact, gravitational, muscular).

• Describing motion
• Force, area, and pressure
• Kinds of forces

Unit 2: Laws of Motion

The laws that govern motion: the difference between a hypothesis, theory, and law; the law of gravity (9.8 m/s/s); and Newton's three laws of motion.

• Hypothesis, theory, and law
• The law of gravity
• Newton's three laws

Unit 3: Space Exploration

Exploring space: the solar system and Earth's place in the universe, the science of space travel and rockets, and the challenges of living and working in space.

• The solar system
• Space travel and rockets
• Living and working in space

Unit 4: Technological Applications

The technologies of space exploration: robotics such as the Canadarm, and remote sensing with telescopes and satellites.

• Space robotics: the Canadarm
• Remote sensing and satellites

Unit 5: Learning and Living Sustainably

The science, technology, and society of space exploration: the hazards of space and how humans survive there; the history of space exploration and its partnerships; space traffic and space junk; weighing the costs and benefits of exploration; space careers; the UN Sustainable Development Goals; and the space technology we use on Earth, including for climate.

• Space hazards
• Human survival in space
• History of space exploration
• Space traffic and space junk
• Cost-benefit of space exploration
• Careers in space science
• Science and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Space technology in everyday life
• Space technology and climate change