Both 7th and 8th grades are knee-deep in our chemistry units! By spiraling our topics from grades 6-8, the students build on their knowledge from one year to the next.  This allows us to get in-depth with each topic and include a lot of real-life applications.

7th grade has been studying the unique properties of water and its importance in supporting all life on earth.  The 7th grade students are currently investigating a variety of global solutions to the huge problem of synthetic polymers (plastic) in our oceans. We will also investigate why we use salt on our roads here in wintry Nebraska!

8th grade has been learning about bonding between atoms. We will wrap up our unit at the end of the month after we build crystals and dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen.  8th grade students will also learn about the carbon-based biomacromolecules and how our cells use them for all our life functions! We will be extracting DNA from fruit, and maybe having a cooking lesson for carbs, lipids, and proteins.

We have started our chemistry and biochemistry units in 7th and 8th grade. 7th grade has started with review of the atom, physical & chemical properties of substances, acid/base reactions, and the periodic table.  They got to teach the class by creating slides and a review game.  7th grade will continue learning how to use the periodic table as a tool, and then explore the unique properties behind the chemistry of water.  8th grade is learning how cell organelles work together and how cells process biomacromolecules to provide energy and necessary nutrients to the cell.  Over the next few weeks,8th grade will cover chemical reactions and bonding, and the “super-hero” elements that fight disease!