Comp Sci 1 and 2
SC.6.P.11.1, SC.6.E.7.5, SC.7.P.11.2
Review the slide deck, then have students complete the energy transformations flow chart.
Florida – Middle School Science Quick-Start Guide
Summary
This guide offers a collection of middle school science lessons and activities aligned to Florida’s grades 6-8 NGSSS benchmarks and mapped to the M/J Comprehensive Science courses where each benchmark is taught. It provides a variety of engaging resources, including heat transfer labs, circuit building, a schoolwide waste audit, and energy transformation activities, all covering benchmarks assessed on the Grade 8 Statewide Science Assessment. This curated content saves teachers time while supporting standards-based instruction and test preparation.
Resources
Thermal Transfer Investigative Lab
Comp Sci 2
SC.7.P.11.1, SC.7.P.11.4
Challenge students to investigate how different materials affect heat transfer by measuring temperature changes over time.
Investigating Passive Solar Heating Lab
Comp Sci 2
SC.7.P.11.1
Have students design and build models to explore energy transfer and distinguish between active and passive solar energy.
Introduction to Solar
Comp Sci 2
SC.7.P.11.1, SC.7.P.11.2
Assign the student reading, then have students design and test the passive and active solar models.
Introduction to Wind
Comp Sci 2
SC.7.P.11.2
Challenge your students to build a windmill in this lab activity using repurposed items.
Introduction to Environmental Impacts
Comp Sci 2
SC.7.E.6.6
Assign the data set and accompanying reflection questions.
Recycling Waste Audit
Comp Sci 2
SC.7.N.1.1
Have student teams conduct a school recycling waste audit and propose an action plan for reducing contamination.
Introduction to Electricity
Comp Sci 2 and 3
SC.8.P.8.4
Have students build and test series and parallel circuits using Play-Doh in the hands-on activity.
Developing Media Literacy - Mini-Unit
Comp Sci 3
SC.8.N.2.1
Introduce students to the fundamentals of media literacy through the lens of researching energy topics.