Prince Edward Island · Grade 8
Science, Grade 8
Prince Edward Island’s Grade 8 science course, from Earth and Space Science: Water Systems on Earth to Life Science: Cells, Tissues, Organs and Systems.
- Units
- 4
- Lessons
- 5
- Skills
- 15
- Provincial exam
- None
- Official curriculum
- princeedwardisland.ca
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, with its official code.
Unit 1 · 3 skills
Earth and Space Science: Water Systems on Earth
Water Systems on Earth
The global distribution of water
I can analyse how water is distributed on Earth and how it affects local areas.
Official code: ESS1
Water shapes the landscape
I can show how moving water shapes the landscape.
Official code: ESS2
Human impact on water systems
I can critique how humans impact water systems.
Official code: ESS3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- ESS1
- Analyse the global distribution of water and its impacts on local environments.
- ESS2
- Use the design process to demonstrate how water movement shapes our landscape.
- ESS3
- Critique human impact on water systems in the environment.
Key ideas
Most of Earth's water is salt water in the oceans.
Only a small fraction is fresh water.
Fresh water is found in rivers, lakes, ice, and groundwater.
Water distribution affects local environments and life.
Moving water erodes and moves rock and soil.
Watch out for
- Thinking most of Earth's water is fresh and drinkable.
- Thinking water distribution does not affect local areas.
- Thinking water does not change the land.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 5 skills
Physical Science: Fluids
Viscosity and Density
Fluid viscosity
I can investigate and explain fluid viscosity.
Official code: PS1
Comparing density by observation
I can compare density by observing how substances behave.
Official code: PS2
Measuring density
I can measure and compare the density of substances.
Official code: PS2
Forces in Fluids
Floating and forces in fluids
I can build a floating object and explain the forces acting on it.
Official code: PS3
Fluids applying force in devices
I can explain how moving fluids apply force or control motion.
Official code: PS4
The official wording · 5 outcomes
- PS1
- Design an investigation to demonstrate an understanding of fluid viscosity.
- PS2
- Compare the density of various substances qualitatively
- PS2
- Compare the density of various substances qualitatively and quantatively.
- PS3
- Create a prototype of an object that floats to analyse the effects of forces on objects in fluids.
- PS4
- Explain how the transfer of fluids is used to apply a force or to control a motion in technological devices and in the natural world.
Key ideas
Viscosity is a fluid's resistance to flow.
An object floats when the upward buoyant force balances gravity.
A high-viscosity fluid pours slowly (like honey).
Buoyancy is the upward push of a fluid on an object.
A low-viscosity fluid pours quickly (like water).
Watch out for
- Thinking viscosity is the same as density.
- Thinking only light materials can float.
- Thinking all liquids flow at the same rate.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 4 skills
Physical Science: Optics
Light and Vision
Properties of visible light
I can examine the properties and behaviour of visible light.
Official code: PS5
Electromagnetic radiation
I can analyse types of electromagnetic radiation and their effects.
Official code: PS6
How human vision works
I can explain how human vision works.
Official code: PS7
Correcting and extending vision
I can describe ways of correcting or extending human vision.
Official code: PS7
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- PS5
- Examine the properties and behaviour of visible light.
- PS6
- Analyse different types of electromagnetic radiation and its impact on their daily lives.
- PS7
- Explain how human vision works
- PS7
- ways of correcting or extending human vision
Key ideas
Light travels in straight lines.
Light reflects off surfaces.
Light refracts (bends) passing through materials.
White light is made of a spectrum of colours.
Visible light is one part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Watch out for
- Thinking light bends around corners on its own.
- Thinking white light has no colours in it.
- Thinking visible light is the only kind of radiation.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 3 skills
Life Science: Cells, Tissues, Organs and Systems
From Cells to Systems
The structure and functions of cells
I can describe the structure and functions of cells.
Official code: LS1
From cells to tissues, organs, and systems
I can analyse how cells, tissues, organs, and systems depend on each other.
Official code: LS2
Keeping the body healthy
I can explain factors that affect how healthily the body works.
Official code: LS3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- LS1
- Identify and describe the structure and functions of cells within living things.
- LS2
- Analyse the relationship and interdependence among cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
- LS3
- Demonstrate an understanding of factors that affect the healthy functioning of the human body.
Key ideas
Cells are the basic building blocks of living things.
A cell has parts like the membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm.
The membrane controls what enters and leaves.
The nucleus controls the cell's activities.
Similar cells group into tissues.
Watch out for
- Thinking cells are too small to matter.
- Thinking all cells look and work exactly the same.
- Thinking organs work completely on their own.
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 Prince Edward Island’s own curriculum for Science, Grade 8.
Textbooks
The textbooks PEI Department of Education and Early Years lists for Science, Grade 8:
- Discovering Science 8, 2009
From Intermediate Program of Studies and Authorized Materials, 2026-2027, read October 27, 2026. princeedwardisland.ca
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
- 27
- Fillable fields
- 1,178
- Price
- $4.99
Questions about Science, Grade 8
What is Science, Grade 8?
Prince Edward Island’s Grade 8 science course: 4 units and 15 skills, from Earth and Space Science: Water Systems on Earth to Life Science: Cells, Tissues, Organs and Systems.
What units are in Science, Grade 8?
1. Earth and Space Science: Water Systems on Earth, 2. Physical Science: Fluids, 3. Physical Science: Optics and 4. Life Science: Cells, Tissues, Organs and Systems.
Is there a provincial exam for Science, Grade 8?
No. Prince Edward Island gives no provincial exam for Science, Grade 8.
What textbook does Science, Grade 8 use?
The textbooks PEI Department of Education and Early Years lists for Science, Grade 8: Discovering Science 8, 2009, McGraw-Hill Ryerson.
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.
