Science and Technology, Grade 8

Unit 1: STEM Skills and Connections

Coding that automates large systems, thinking about how coding and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (including skilled trades) change everyday life, spotting science and technology in occupations and skilled trades, and analysing contributions from many communities.

• Automating large systems with code

• How coding and AI affect life and skilled trades

• Science and technology in occupations and skilled trades

• Analysing contributions from many communities

Unit 2: Cells

Cell theory, organelles and their functions, plant versus animal cells, diffusion and osmosis, unicellular and multicellular organisms, and the organization of cells into tissues, organs, and systems — plus assessing how technologies and developments in cell biology affect health and the environment.

• Technologies that reveal cells
• Effects of developments in cell biology

• Cell theory
• Organelles and their functions
• Plant and animal cells
• Diffusion and osmosis
• Unicellular and multicellular organisms
• From cells to systems

Unit 3: Fluids

Viscosity, mass/volume/density, density of the states of matter, compressibility, buoyancy, pressure/volume/temperature, Pascal's law, fluid flow, pneumatic versus hydraulic systems, and fluids in living things and machines — plus assessing technologies based on fluids and the impacts of fluid spills.

• Impacts of fluid-based technologies
• Impacts of fluid spills

• Viscosity
• Mass, volume, and density
• Density of solids, liquids, and gases
• Compressibility of liquids and gases
• Buoyancy
• Pressure, volume, and temperature
• Pascal's law and force transfer in fluids
• Factors affecting fluid flow
• Pneumatic and hydraulic systems
• Fluids in living things and machines

Unit 4: Systems in Action

Types of systems, inputs and outputs, efficient and safe operation, the science terms of work, mechanical advantage, energy dissipation, consumer information, productivity, and social factors — plus assessing the impacts of automating systems and alternative ways of meeting needs.

• Impacts of automating systems
• Alternative ways of meeting needs

• Types of systems
• Inputs and outputs of systems
• Efficient and safe operation
• The science terms of work
• Work, force, and displacement
• Input and output forces
• Calculating mechanical advantage
• Energy dissipation and efficiency
• Information for safe, efficient use
• Innovations and productivity
• Social factors and the evolution of systems

Unit 5: Water Systems

The states, distribution, and circulation of water, watersheds, the water table, glaciers and climate change, atmospheric effects of water bodies, water-quality indicators, and municipal water processing — plus assessing the sustainability of fresh water, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit water knowledges, and the impacts of discoveries on water systems.

• Fresh-water scarcity and a plan of action
• First Nations, Métis, and Inuit water knowledges
• Impact of discoveries on water systems

• States, distribution, and circulation of water
• Watersheds
• The water table
• Glaciers, ice-caps, and climate change
• Water bodies and the atmosphere
• Water-quality indicators
• Municipal water processing