Students learn how to perform experiments and collect data, how organisms survive in their environments, how forces affect motion, how erosion and weathering affect and change the Earth, and how humans mine, refine, and use renewable and nonrenewable resources. Throughout each unit, students develop skills in making observations, collecting and analyzing data, and making claims supported by evidence.

Students learn about the history of rockets and the space program, and they will create solutions to aerospace-themed engineering design challenges. These challenges reinforce the skills of data collection, making conclusions through the use of claims and evidence, and problem-solving as they work through the engineering design process. Students will be engaged in activities, projects, and lessons that will help them better understand engineering, our space program, and space flight. If/When we return to in-person learning this school year, students will also have a robotics unit with a space-themed engineering design challenge.

Automation & Robotics - 8th Grade

Students will learn about careers and education needed to work in engineering related jobs, how and where robots are used (including the aerospace industry), various gears and mechanisms used in mechanical systems/machines, and basics of programming. Students will also use the VEX robotics equipment to build mechanical systems and begin programming their machines using ROBOTC, a C-based computer programming language. There will be several design challenges throughout the school year to engage students in the engineering design process and to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.