Grade 8 Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 8 science in the Ontario Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- A1 STEM Investigation and Communication Skills: Use a scientific research process, a scientific experimentation process, and an engineering design process to conduct investigations, following appropriate health and safety procedures
- A2 Coding and Emerging Technologies: Use coding in investigations and to model concepts, and assess the impact of coding and of emerging technologies on everyday life and in STEM-related fields
- A3 Applications, Connections, and Contributions: Demonstrate an understanding of the practical applications of science and technology, and of contributions to science and technology from people with diverse lived experiences
- B1 Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World: Assess developments in cell biology and their impact on individuals, society, and the environment
- B2 Exploring and Understanding Concepts: Demonstrate an understanding of the basic structure and function of plant and animal cells and cell processes
- C1 Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World: Analyse uses of various technologies that rely on the properties of fluids, and assess the impact of these technologies on society and the environment
- C2 Exploring and Understanding Concepts: Demonstrate an understanding of basic fluid mechanics, including the properties and uses of fluids
- D1 Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World: Assess the social and environmental impacts of various systems, and evaluate improvements to the systems or alternative ways of meeting the same needs
- D2 Exploring and Understanding Concepts: Demonstrate an understanding of different types of systems and the factors that contribute to their safe and efficient operation
- E1 Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World: Assess the impact of human activities and technologies on the sustainability of water resources
- E2 Exploring and Understanding Concepts: Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of Earth’s water systems and of factors that affect these systems
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
Think Like a Scientist
Planning fair tests with variables and controls, following lab safety, using the engineering design process, understanding how coding and AI are used, and seeing how science connects to skilled trades and to people of many backgrounds.
Cells, Organisms & Technology
How microscopes and newer technologies such as stem cell research and gene editing have changed our understanding of cells, how single-celled and many-celled organisms meet their needs, and the benefits and concerns of cell biology developments.
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.
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.
Fluids, Spills & Society
The benefits and risks of technologies that use fluids, such as pipelines and hydroelectric dams, how spills affect wildlife, the economy and communities (including Indigenous communities who rely on the land and water), and why cleanup is costly and difficult.
Systems in Action
Identifying inputs, outputs and purposes of systems including food processing, what makes systems safe and efficient, how automation changes work, and why people's needs and values change systems over time.
Work, Energy & Efficiency
Using the scientific terms force, displacement, work, energy and efficiency, calculating work as force times displacement, finding efficiency, and how friction and design affect the energy lost from machines.
Simple Machines & Advantage
Identifying the six simple machines, finding mechanical advantage from input and output forces, understanding that machines trade force for distance, and how innovations such as combine harvesters and robotics raised productivity.
Water Systems of Earth
Where Earth's water is found and in what form, the water cycle, watersheds and the Great Lakes, how groundwater and the water table change, and how large lakes shape local weather.
Caring for Water
Why fresh water must be managed with care, how water quality is measured, how drinking water and wastewater are treated, the effects of melting glaciers and sea ice, and the many teachings of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities about caring for water.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Level 1
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Level 2
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Level 3
- Has it! Level 3 is the provincial standard. Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Level 4
- 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 Ontario report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 8 child with science?
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.
What does my child learn in Grade 8 science in Ontario?
The Ontario Curriculum Grade 8 science units include think like a scientist, cells, organisms & technology, cells & life processes, viscosity & flow, density & buoyancy, pressure & pascal's law.
Free printable Grade 8 science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.