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Grade 8
Calculate Work in Scratch
Coding
Use scratch to create a simple program to calculate mechanical work, given force and distance.
Downloadable Resources
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Systems as Algorithms
Coding
In this lesson, students link the concepts of systems and algorithms by expressing the actions of a system as an algorithm. Since different inputs and outputs of a system act differently, group inputs and outputs into 3 broad categories: energy, matter, and information, and treat each independently before culminating in examining a complex system that makes use of all 3.
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Do YOU have a Concussion?
Biology
Students will learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion. This activity will encourage further discussion about concussions with friends and family. Adapted from Scrambled Brains Activity by Parachute.ca
Downloadable Resources
Neuron Circuits
Biology
Students will make a circuit with playdough, and use it as a metaphor for how a concussion can affect our neurons and slow the transmission of nerve impulses. Adapted from Brainfacts.org – Squishy Neuron Activity
Downloadable Resources
Thumb Wrestling
Physics
Students learn about hydraulics and pneumatics, and how they can be used to lift loads in our school program “Devising Devices”. In this post activity, students will battle each other with syringes and see who will win a thumb wrestle war.
Downloadable Resources
Unicellular Organisms and the Ozobot
Coding
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic structure and function of plant and animal cells and cell processes.
Downloadable Resources
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Scratch and Cells
Coding
Students will learn about Scratch Coding, and compare the idea of scratch blocks to living cells.
Downloadable Resources
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Coding Water System Cue Cards
Coding
Students will learn appropriate terminology related to climate change, including, but not limited to: water table, aquifer, polar ice-cap, and salinity by coding digital cue cards.
Downloadable Resources
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Water Treatment Process with Ozobots
Coding
Students will learn about the process in which municipalities use to process and distribute water while designing and creating a map to illustrate the process with a coded Ozobot.
Downloadable Resources
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Solve a Cellular Mystery - Spot the Differences
Biology
This is a Post Activity for the Solve a Cellular Mystery Program at Science North. Using the PowerPoint presentation provided, students will play~Spot the Differences to review their knowledge about animal and plant cells.
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Controlled Buoyancy Submarine French as a Second Language
General
In this lesson, student will apply their understanding of density and buoyancy to create a submarine. Using a pop bottle, they’ll be required to adjust the submarine’s buoyancy so that it can both float or sink. This is an inquiry-based activity where students are encouraged to apply the engineering design process. Strategies to teach this as an FSL lesson are provided.
Downloadable Resources
- Submarine Handout
- Lesson Plan
- Rubric
- Buoyancy Handout
- Fluid Concept Chart
- Fluids Knowledge Assessment Scale
- Fluids Word Storm
Build Your Own Microscope
Biology
In this lesson students will learn the importance of microscopy to cell biology as well as the history of microscope development and the difference between a single lens microscope and a compound microscope.
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Hard Working Organelles
Biology
This lesson will start with reactivating what students already know about organelles and cells. In this lesson the students will learn the specific organelle structures and their functions in both plant and animal cells.
Downloadable Resources
The Incredible Shrinking/Growing Bear
Biology
In this lesson students will develop a hypothesis and design an experiment to change the volume of gummy bears. They will understand the process of diffusion and osmosis and their importance to cells.
Downloadable Resources
- Activity Lesson Plan
- Osmosis Diffusion Websites
- Lab Report Assessment Rubric
- Wrinkled Finger
- How Credible is Your Information Source
Video Resources
- Diffusion and Osmosis- For Teachers
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Extracting DNA from Peas
Biology
In this lesson students will learn the basic procedure involved in extracting DNA from the cell’s nucleus. They will assess why DNA extraction could be important to human health or the environment.
Downloadable Resources
Hay! I Can Grow One-celled Organisms
Biology
In this lesson students will compare unicellular organisms to multicellular organisms. They will also observe unicellular organisms in a water sample.
Downloadable Resources
Build a Submarine Part 1
Physics
This is lesson one in a five lesson unit on fluids. The unit uses submarines as a framework on which to build knowledge and conduct experiments. This lesson focuses on fluid basics and building a hydrometer.
Downloadable Resources
Video Resources
- Fluids - For The Classroom
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- Hydraulics and Pneumatics - For Teachers
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Build a Submarine Part 2
Physics
This is lesson two in a five-lesson unit on fluids. The unit uses submarines as a framework on which to build knowledge and conduct experiments. This lesson focuses on what submarines do. There are experiments on pressure and depth and how fluids of different densities layer on top of each other.
Downloadable Resources
Video Resources
- Fluids - For The Classroom
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- Hydraulics and Pneumatics - For Teachers
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Build a Submarine Part 3
Physics
This is lesson three in a five lesson unit on fluids. The unit uses submarines as a framework on which to build knowledge and conduct experiments. This lesson focuses on building a simple submarine that can be raised and lowered by adjusting the amount of air in it.
Downloadable Resources
Video Resources
- Fluids - For The Classroom
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- Hydraulics and Pneumatics - For Teachers
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Build a Submarine Part 4
Physics
This is lesson four in a five-lesson unit on fluids. The unit uses submarines as a framework on which to build knowledge and conduct experiments. This lesson focuses on building a second submarine that can propel itself.
Downloadable Resources
Video Resources
- Fluids - For The Classroom
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- Hydraulics and Pneumatics - For Teachers
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Build a Submarine Part 5
Physics
This is lesson five in a five-lesson unit on fluids. The unit uses submarines as a framework on which to build knowledge and conduct experiments. This lesson focuses on Archimedes principle and buoyancy.
Downloadable Resources
Video Resources
- Fluids - For The Classroom
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- Hydraulics and Pneumatics - For Teachers
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Cell Biology – Build an Animal Cell
Biology
This is a Pre Activity for the Cell Biology School Program at Science North. In this lesson, students use craft materials to design and build an animal cell model to demonstrate its basic structure and function.
Downloadable Resources
Maker Spectacular – Gamepad Generation
Physics
This is a Post Activity for the Maker Spectacular School Program delivered by the Science en Route Outreach Team. Students will use their knowledge of how the Makey-Makey circuits functioned to develop a more ergonomic version of the gamepad for their use.
Downloadable Resources
Make a Watershed
Under The Same Stars
Students will make their own watershed and test them to see where water and pollution will flow.
Downloadable Resources
Watersheds
Climate/Environment
In this lesson, students build a watershed and use it to conduct experiments which simulate an actual watershed.
Downloadable Resources
Water Quality and Watersheds
Climate/Environment
In this lesson, students build a model of a watershed to experiment with and learn about the effects of pollution on a watershed.
Downloadable Resources
