The goal of this course is to explore science with an authentic approach. Students will look at real-world phenomena to generate questions. As they follow this line of questioning they will investigate ideas, data, and methodologies that will solidify the content of the 8th grade curriculum. Topics studied with include analyzing and interpreting data about Earth's geological column; predicting natural hazards and geological events; atomic structure and function; chemical and physical reactions; identifying substances; energy transfer; wave characteristics; genetics; and natural selection.