SEEd - Grade 8
Lesson Plans

Strand 8.1: MATTER AND ENERGY INTERACT IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD

The physical world is made of atoms and molecules. Even large objects can be viewed as a combination of small particles. Energy causes particles to move and interact physically or chemically. Those interactions create a variety of substances. As molecules undergo a chemical or physical change, the number of atoms in that system remains constant. Humans use energy to refine natural resources into synthetic materials.

Standard 8.1.4

Obtain and evaluate information to describe how synthetic materials come from natural resources, what their functions are, and how society uses these new materials. Examples of new materials could include medicine, foods, building materials, plastics, and alternative fuels. (PS1.A, PS1.B, ESS3.A)

• 8.1 Polymers Lesson Plan & Resources
  Lesson Description: Students will obtain information and engage in arguments about how the properties of plastics provide structure and function. Students also investigate how chemical reactions create polymers that result in plastics and what natural resources are used in making synthetic materials. This lesson includes a lesson plan, activity/lab instructions, readings, and presentations.
• The Many Uses of Petroleum
  Students will obtain information about the difference between natural and synthetic materials by creating their own plastic sample from milk. They will compare it to the process of refining oil and obtain information about all the different products that are made from petroleum.

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