Science & Health - A Beka Book

Science: Earth & Space Grade 8 cont.
Environmental Science
• Environment and pollution:
• Introduction to environmental science:
• Biotic and abiotic factors, biogeochemical cycles
h Preservationists, conservationists
• Pantheism
• Pollution basics
h Land pollution: landfill, reclaimed, waste-to-energy incinerator, syngas
h Air pollution:
h Primary and secondary pollutants, formation and dangers of
temperature inversion
h Clean Air Acts
h Water pollution: point and non-point sources, coliform bacteria
h Global change:
h Acid rain
h Ozone depletion:
h Rowland-Molina hypothesis, freons, halons
h Ozone-depleting substances, Montreal Protocol
h Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, fluorocarbons
Science & Health
Science of the Physical Creation Grade 9
166
Grades 8–9
h red indicates NeW MATerIAL
• Global warming: anthropogenic global warming, Medieval Climate
Optimum, Little Ice Age
• Managing our resources:
• Biblical commands
• Examining our resources:
h Non-renewable and renewable resources
• Sustainable development, environmental technology
h Water reclamation
• Recycling programs
• Renewable energy:
• Solar energy:
h Active and passive solar power, photovoltaic cells, concentrating
solar power
• Wind power:
h Wind turbine, wind farm
h Hydroelectric power
h Nuclear power:
h Nuclear chemistry, nuclear fission, nuclear chain reaction
h Nuclear reactor, breeder reactor
Science of the Physical Creation builds a foundation for future studies in chemistry, physics, and other
fields. The Christian perspective of this text naturally rejects the unproven hypothe sis of evolution,
recognizing special c reation as the only reasonable explanation for the universe’s origin. This position is
presented throughout the text and highlighted in a chapter on the fossil record, which provides evidence
against evolution and for the reality of the Genesis Flood.
Science of the Physical Creation also recognizes God’s command for man to have dominion over creation.
Thus the purpose of science becomes the application of scientific knowledge for mankind’s benefit. From
chemistry to physics, the goal is to learn how man might extend his “dominion” and make better use
of creation. With man’s dominion over the earth comes a responsibility to tend, manage, and conserve
resources. However, the ultimate purpose of creation must not be forgotten—the earth was made for
man to inhabit, and its resources were made for man to use.
Added Enrichment
• Feature boxes with activities, puzzles, extra information,
articles highlighting God’s design in creation, 36 articles
regarding environmental issues
• Classroom demonstrations with student participation (34)
• Challenging homework questions to make students think
more deeply about concepts (38)
Introduction to Science
• Science and mathematics:
h Descriptions, limitations, truth and error
• Equations
h red indicates NeW MATerIAL
Evaluation
• Reading quizzes (14)
• Review quizzes (36)
• Science project with background paper, investigation
plan, experimentation, follow-up paper, created display,
oral presentation (counts as test grade)
• Tests (8), mid-semester tests (2)
• Semester exam, final exam
• Science and measurement:
h Limitations of measurement, accuracy, precision
• Scientific notation, measurement systems, SI units
• Scientific method:
• 3-step process, theories, laws
h Predictions, assumptions
Science of the Physical Creation cont. p. 167