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. ther factors that affect a
structure!s functioning, such as type of structure and centre of gravity, will also be
e"plored. #s 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 bro$en structures and to protect faces and feet from falling
ob%ects.!
&tudents will be learning the above through demonstrations, 'ower 'oints(discussions,
research, wor$boo$s(wor$sheets and reading information from their te"tboo$s or
handouts. &tudents will be building structures out of modelling clay and straws. They will
also use force meters to determine where structures are wea$est and build a bridge out of
wood and 'opsicle stic$s for their culminating tas$. They will test out their $nowledge of
building a strong structure by putting weight on their bridges to see how strong it is. They
will also have a final test.
Grade 8 Systems in Action
From the Ontario Curriculum:
The smooth functioning of society depends on a great number and variety of systems.
The needs of society can influence the evolution of established systems or demand the
introduction of new ones. )hether large or small, human, mechanical, or natural, all
systems consist of many components that can be studied and improved. &tudents will
learn to calculate the mechanical advantage of mechanical systems, and will learn about
the overall safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of a variety of systems. )hen ma$ing
and(or e"perimenting with and testing devices or structures, it is important that students
be able to identify and e"plain the importance of practices that ensure their personal
safety and the safety of others. This includes $nowing the correct way to use tools and
equipment, $nowing when and how to use protective eyewear, and $nowing how to
operate electricity and electrical systems safely.!
&tudents will be learning the above through demonstrations, 'ower 'oints(discussions,
research, wor$boo$s(wor$sheets and reading information from their te"tboo$s or
handouts. &tudents will be doing a pulley lab, a lever lab, and a weight(mass lab. They
will eventually be designing their own *ube+Goldberg pro%ect and have to describe it in
detail using their $nowledge in the unit. They can build a small model of it or a part of it
to demonstrate to the class. &tudents will also have a final test.
Unit 3 Science Newsletter
Grade 7 Pure sustances and mi!tures
From the Ontario Curriculum:
,y e"ploring the distinction between pure substances and mechanical mi"tures and
solutions, students will come to recogni-e that most matter is either a solution or a
mechanical mi"ture . including most foods and drin$s and many medicines, cosmetics,
building materials, and cleaning agents. &tudents 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 theory0 to describe the particulate nature of
matter will provide students with a conceptual basis for learning in this area.!
&tudents will be learning the above through demonstrations, 'ower 'oints(discussions,
research, wor$boo$s(wor$sheets and reading information from their te"tboo$s or
handouts. In this unit, students will be shown different solutions and understand their
different components through various demonstrations. &tudents will do 1 different
separation labs and also a lab write+up based on a distillation e"periment demonstration.
They have a pro%ect based on separation techniques and a final test.
Grade 8 Fluids
From the Ontario Curriculum:
2luids are essential to many industrial processes and form the basis of hydraulic and
pneumatic devices. #ny substance that flows is considered to be a fluid. This includes
such things as water, shampoo, sunscreen, and honey. 3ven gases, such as air, can be
classified as fluids. &tudents 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 %obs related to fluids. To learn about the
properties of fluids, students will e"periment with and investigate the viscosity and
density of different liquids and ways in which these properties affect ob%ects placed in
those liquids. &tudents will e"plore the implications of #rchimedes! principle by
investigating and measuring the buoyant forces on different ob%ects.!
&tudents will be learning the above through demonstrations, 'ower 'oints(discussions,
research, wor$boo$s(wor$sheets and reading information from their te"tboo$s or
handouts. &tudents will be testing viscosity of different fluids and also how temperature
affects viscosity, as well as a density lab. They will be loo$ing at different syringes and
how their si-e plays a role in their function. Toward the end of the unit, students will be
building their own hydraulic device as a culminating tas$. They will also have a final test.
Grade 7 "eat in the #n$ironment
From the Ontario Curriculum:
Heat energy plays a critical role in natural processes and in human life. Global warming
has also focused considerable attention on the processes that control temperatures at the
earth!s surface. ,y acquiring a wor$ing understanding of the nature of heat, students in
Grade 7 will gain new insights into the ways that heat affects our world. &tudents will
learn about the causes and effects of heat, investigate its properties, relate it to geological
and meteorological processes, and use their new+found $nowledge to design a device to
minimi-e heat transfer. They will also use the particle theory to help them e"plain their
observations.!
&tudents will be learning the above through demonstrations, 'ower 'oints(discussions,
research, wor$boo$s(wor$sheets and reading information from their te"tboo$s or
handouts. &tudents will be doing a hands+on lab where they have to measure and graph
ice melting and water boiling /e"plaining the plateau effect0. They also have a pro%ect on
global warming and a final test.
Grade 8 %ater Systems
From the Ontario Curriculum:
4ore than 75 per cent of the earth!s surface is covered with water, and most of this water
is found in the oceans. In learning about the earth!s water systems, students will develop
an understanding of the important role that water systems play in global ecosystems.
They will evaluate the role media play in portraying controversial water issues and
research recent technological innovations related to 3arth!s water systems. &tudents will
gain a basic understanding of 3arth!s water systems and come to a better understanding
of their own role in caring for this precious resource.!
&tudents will be learning the above through demonstrations, 'ower 'oints(discussions,
research, wor$boo$s(wor$sheets and reading information from their te"tboo$s or
handouts. They will be doing a simulated lab on water pollution and a pro%ect on oceans
and different scientists. &tudents will also be doing a water conservation pro%ect and will
have a final test.