Unit 2 Science newsletter
Grade 7 Structure and Function
From the Ontario Curriculum:
‘Humans build structures to meet specific needs. In doing so, they must consider many
factors, including not only the functions the structures must perform but also the
resources available to build them, the intended lifetime of the structures, and the impact
of the structures on the environment. In Grade 7, students will continue to learn about the
effects of forces that act on and within different structural forms. They will investigate
how different structural forms support or withstand loads by designing, building, and
testing structures, using increasingly sophisticated techniques. Other factors that affect a
structure’s functioning, such as type of structure and centre of gravity, will also be
explored. As students design, build, and test their structures to determine what loads they
can support, it is important that they do it in a manner that ensures their personal safety
and the safety of others. This includes understanding why it is important to properly
dispose of the remains of broken structures and to protect faces and feet from falling
objects.’
Students will be learning the above through demonstrations, Power Points/discussions,
research, workbooks/worksheets and reading information from their textbooks or
handouts. Students will be building structures out of modelling clay and straws. They will
also use force meters to determine where structures are weakest and build a bridge out of
wood and Popsicle sticks for their culminating task. They will test out their knowledge of
building a strong structure by putting weight on their bridges to see how strong it is. They
will also have a final test.
Grade 8 Systems in Action
From the Ontario Curriculum:
‘The smooth functioning of society depends on a great number and variety of systems.
The needs of society can influence the evolution of established systems or demand the
introduction of new ones. Whether large or small, human, mechanical, or natural, all
systems consist of many components that can be studied and improved. Students will
learn to calculate the mechanical advantage of mechanical systems, and will learn about
the overall safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of a variety of systems. When making
and/or experimenting with and testing devices or structures, it is important that students
be able to identify and explain the importance of practices that ensure their personal
safety and the safety of others. This includes knowing the correct way to use tools and
equipment, knowing when and how to use protective eyewear, and knowing how to
operate electricity and electrical systems safely.’
Students will be learning the above through demonstrations, Power Points/discussions,
research, workbooks/worksheets and reading information from their textbooks or
handouts. Students will be doing a pulley lab, a lever lab, and a weight/mass lab. They
will eventually be designing their own Rube-Goldberg project and have to describe it in
detail using their knowledge in the unit. They can build a small model of it or a part of it
to demonstrate to the class. Students will also have a final test.
Unit 3 Science Newsletter
Grade 7 Pure substances and mixtures
From the Ontario Curriculum:
‘By exploring the distinction between pure substances and mechanical mixtures and
solutions, students will come to recognize that most matter is either a solution or a
mechanical mixture – including most foods and drinks and many medicines, cosmetics,
building materials, and cleaning agents. Students will use this information to weigh the
social and environmental consequences of the use of various consumer products. The
introduction of a scientific model (the particle theory) to describe the particulate nature of
matter will provide students with a conceptual basis for learning in this area.’
Students will be learning the above through demonstrations, Power Points/discussions,
research, workbooks/worksheets and reading information from their textbooks or
handouts. In this unit, students will be shown different solutions and understand their
different components through various demonstrations. Students will do 2 different
separation labs and also a lab write-up based on a distillation experiment demonstration.
They have a project based on separation techniques and a final test.
Grade 8 Fluids
From the Ontario Curriculum:
‘Fluids are essential to many industrial processes and form the basis of hydraulic and
pneumatic devices. Any substance that flows is considered to be a fluid. This includes
such things as water, shampoo, sunscreen, and honey. Even gases, such as air, can be
classified as fluids. Students will learn about the diverse applications of the principles
involved in fluid mechanics, the impacts of technological innovations based on the
properties of fluids, and the industries and jobs related to fluids. To learn about the
properties of fluids, students will experiment with and investigate the viscosity and
density of different liquids and ways in which these properties affect objects placed in
those liquids. Students will explore the implications of Archimedes’ principle by
investigating and measuring the buoyant forces on different objects.’
Students will be learning the above through demonstrations, Power Points/discussions,
research, workbooks/worksheets and reading information from their textbooks or
handouts. Students will be testing viscosity of different fluids and also how temperature
affects viscosity, as well as a density lab. They will be looking at different syringes and
how their size plays a role in their function. Toward the end of the unit, students will be
building their own hydraulic device as a culminating task. They will also have a final test.
Grade 7 Heat in the Environment
From the Ontario Curriculum:
‘Heat energy plays a critical role in natural processes and in human life. Global warming
has also focused considerable attention on the processes that control temperatures at the
earth’s surface. By acquiring a working understanding of the nature of heat, students in
Grade 7 will gain new insights into the ways that heat affects our world. Students will
learn about the causes and effects of heat, investigate its properties, relate it to geological
and meteorological processes, and use their new-found knowledge to design a device to
minimize heat transfer. They will also use the particle theory to help them explain their
observations.’
Students will be learning the above through demonstrations, Power Points/discussions,
research, workbooks/worksheets and reading information from their textbooks or
handouts. Students will be doing a hands-on lab where they have to measure and graph
ice melting and water boiling (explaining the plateau effect). They also have a project on
global warming and a final test.
Grade 8 Water Systems
From the Ontario Curriculum:
‘More than 70 per cent of the earth’s surface is covered with water, and most of this
water is found in the oceans. In learning about the earth’s water systems, students will
develop an understanding of the important role that water systems play in global
ecosystems. They will evaluate the role media play in portraying controversial water
issues and research recent technological innovations related to Earth’s water systems.
Students will gain a basic understanding of Earth’s water systems and come to a better
understanding of their own role in caring for this precious resource.’
Students will be learning the above through demonstrations, Power Points/discussions,
research, workbooks/worksheets and reading information from their textbooks or
handouts. They will be doing a simulated lab on water pollution and a project on oceans
and different scientists. Students will also be doing a water conservation project and will
have a final test.