Grade 8 Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 8 science in the Nova Scotia Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Healthy Cells, Healthy Systems. Learners will analyse how the characteristics of cells relate to the needs of organisms.
- Healthy Cells, Healthy Systems. Learners will evaluate ways to maintain and factors that disrupt cell and system health.
- Climate Change. Learners will create a model that demonstrates the principles of kinetic molecular theory.
- Climate Change. Learners will evaluate oceanographic and other evidence of climate change inclusive of a Mi’kmaw perspective.
- Climate Change. Learners will evaluate the impact of human activity on climate change.
- Climate Change. Learners will formulate a plan to mitigate or adapt to the effects of climate change.
- Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems. Learners will test the effects of changes in temperature and pressure on the properties of fluids.
- Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems. Learners will compare mechanical advantage provided by hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
- Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems. Learners will construct a device that utilizes hydraulics or pneumatics.
Easy ways to practise science at home
- Turn everyday questions into investigations: “Which paper towel holds the most water?”
- Read a science news story together and ask what evidence it gives.
- Look up how a household machine works, such as a bike gear, a lamp or a fridge.
- Have your child draw and label a diagram of something they just learned.
What each unit covers
Cells & Life Processes
The cell theory, what organelles do in plant and animal cells, how photosynthesis and respiration are connected, osmosis, and how cells form tissues, organs and organ systems.
Particles & Matter
How the movement of particles explains solids, liquids and gases and changes of state, the parts of an atom (including the quarks inside protons and neutrons, and electrons as leptons), elements and compounds, and telling physical from chemical changes.
Viscosity & Flow
What viscosity is, how temperature and other factors change how fluids flow, and how to find a flow rate by dividing volume by time.
Density & Buoyancy
Calculating density from mass and volume, explaining why solids, liquids and gases differ in density using the particle theory, and predicting whether objects float or sink in different fluids.
Pressure & Pascal's Law
Why gases compress easily and liquids do not, how heating or compressing a fluid changes its pressure and volume, and how a hydraulic press uses Pascal's law to multiply a force.
Hydraulics & Pneumatics
How hydraulic systems (liquids) and pneumatic systems (compressed air) work, where each is used, and how valves, pumps and tubes in machines compare with the heart, lungs and blood vessels.
Evidence of Climate Change
Practises telling weather from climate, the greenhouse effect, kinetic molecular theory and thermal expansion, and the evidence for climate change, including the Mi’kmaw view that long-term observation counts. Ties to the Nova Scotia Grade 8 science outcomes on Climate Change.
Climate Change: Causes & Action
Practises human causes of climate change, the carbon cycle, effects on coasts and communities, and the difference between mitigation and adaptation. Ties to the Nova Scotia Grade 8 science outcomes on Climate Change.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Minimal
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Satisfactory
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Good
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Very good to excellent
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Nova Scotia report card guide.
Common questions
Turn everyday questions into investigations: “Which paper towel holds the most water?” Read a science news story together and ask what evidence it gives. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Nova Scotia Curriculum Grade 8 science units include cells & life processes, particles & matter, viscosity & flow, density & buoyancy, pressure & pascal's law, hydraulics & pneumatics.
Free printable Grade 8 science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.