Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations
Grade 8 Science
This course investigates the interconnectedness of biological, physical, and geological systems. Students engage in evidence based inquiry to understand how microscopic processes drive macroscopic changes in the world around them.

01The Cellular Basis of Life
Students explore the fundamental unit of life by investigating cell structure, function, and the relationship between cells and systems.
Students will analyze historical contributions to cell theory and differentiate between living and non-living characteristics.
Students will learn to use microscopes to observe and draw different types of cells, identifying key structures.
Students will compare and contrast the basic structures and functions of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Students will identify and describe the specific functions of major organelles within an animal cell.
Students will investigate the unique organelles in plant cells and their role in photosynthesis.
Students will explore the process of cellular respiration and how cells obtain energy from food.
Students will investigate the structure and function of the cell membrane, including passive and active transport.
Students will examine the stages of mitosis and its role in growth and repair.
Students will investigate the hierarchical organization of multicellular organisms from cells to organ systems.

02Fluids and Flow
A study of the properties of fluids, including viscosity, density, and buoyancy in natural and human made systems.
Students will review the states of matter and apply particle theory to explain fluid behavior.
Students will investigate the characteristics of fluids, focusing on their compressibility and ability to flow.
Students will investigate factors affecting viscosity and measure the flow rates of various liquids.
Students will calculate density using mass and volume measurements and explain its significance.
Students will explore buoyancy and apply Archimedes' Principle to explain why objects float or sink.
Students will investigate how pressure is exerted by fluids and how it changes with depth.
Students will explore Pascal's Principle and its real-world applications in fluid systems.

03Water Systems on Earth
Investigating the distribution and circulation of water and the impact of human activity on global watersheds.
Students will trace the movement of water through the Earth's systems and identify its different phases.
Students will investigate the unique physical and chemical properties of water and their importance to life.
Students will map local and regional watersheds and analyze how topography influences water flow.
Students will investigate the formation and importance of groundwater and aquifers as water sources.
Students will explore the characteristics of rivers and lakes, including their formation and ecological roles.
Students will identify the different zones of the ocean and major seafloor features.
Students will explore the causes and effects of ocean currents and their role in global climate regulation.
Students will investigate the causes of tides and the formation and characteristics of ocean waves.
Students will examine the formation and movement of glaciers and their impact on Earth's landscape and sea level.

04Optics and Light
A study of the behavior of light, the electromagnetic spectrum, and the technology used to extend human vision.
Students will explore light as an electromagnetic wave and its fundamental properties.
Students will investigate different sources of light and how they illuminate objects.
Students will investigate the law of reflection and how different types of mirrors form images.
Students will explore how light refracts when passing through different materials and the function of lenses.
Students will identify the different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and their applications.
Students will investigate how objects absorb and reflect light to produce the colors we perceive.
Students will explore the structure and function of the human eye and common vision defects.

05Mechanical Systems
Exploring how machines transform energy and how the design of systems improves efficiency.
Students will define work, energy, and power in a scientific context and calculate their values.
Students will identify different forms of energy and trace energy transformations in various systems.
Students will identify different classes of levers and calculate their mechanical advantage.
Students will investigate the function of pulleys and the wheel and axle, calculating their mechanical advantage.
Students will explore how inclined planes and screws simplify work and calculate their mechanical advantage.
Students will identify wedges and analyze how simple machines are combined to create compound machines.
Students will calculate the efficiency of mechanical systems and investigate the role of friction.

06The Dynamic Earth
Investigating plate tectonics, geological cycles, and the internal forces that shape our planet.
Students will investigate the composition and characteristics of Earth's internal layers.
Students will explore the theory of continental drift and the evidence supporting plate tectonics.
Students will identify different types of plate boundaries and the geological features they create.
Students will investigate the causes of earthquakes, seismic waves, and their measurement.
Students will explore the formation of volcanoes, types of eruptions, and their global distribution.
Students will investigate the processes of the rock cycle and differentiate between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
Students will explore the processes that break down and transport Earth materials.

07Ecosystems and Interactions
Students will explore the components of ecosystems, energy flow, nutrient cycling, and human impacts.
Students will identify biotic and abiotic factors in ecosystems and their interrelationships.
Students will trace energy flow through food chains and construct complex food webs.
Students will investigate how energy decreases at successive trophic levels in an ecosystem.
Students will explore the cycling of essential nutrients like carbon and nitrogen through ecosystems.
Students will investigate factors that affect population size and growth in ecosystems.

08Weather and Climate
Students will investigate atmospheric processes, weather patterns, and the factors influencing global climate.
Students will explore the composition and layers of Earth's atmosphere and their importance.
Students will investigate how solar energy heats Earth's surface and atmosphere.
Students will investigate how differences in air pressure create wind and influence weather patterns.
Students will explore humidity, cloud formation, and different forms of precipitation.
Students will identify different types of weather fronts and the characteristics of various storms.
Students will investigate the tools and methods used for weather observation and forecasting.
Students will investigate the factors that determine Earth's major climate zones.