8th Grade Earth Sciences Resources

Love and Pair Bonding in the Animal Reading | 6th, 7th, 8th Grade |

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 reading introduces students to the science of love and pair bonding in the animal kingdom, showing how many animals form long-term partnerships, cooperate with mates, and raise offspring together. It explains what monogamy and pair bonding mean in biological terms and why these behavi

6th - 8th Biology, Earth Sciences, General Science

Also included in: Valentine's Day Science Activities | STEM, Project, Readings | 6th, 7th, 8th

Flowers, Pollinators, Ecosystems and Human Impact – Flower Ecology Project

Created by
TWFScience

In this project, your students will explore how flowering plants depend on pollinators and healthy ecosystems, and how human activities affect the survival of pollinators and the plants—and foods—people rely on every day. Students will investigate how pollination works, why pollinators are essential

7th - 9th Science, Biology, Earth Sciences

NGSS MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5

Also included in: Valentine's Day Science Activities | STEM, Project, Readings | High School

The E-Waste & Technology Pollution Mystery – Detective SUB PLAN | Human Impact

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this engaging, real-world investigation focused on electronic waste (e-waste) and technology pollution. In this case file activity, students analyze evidence, track environmental pathways, interrogate suspects, and build a scientific case to solve the

6th - 9th Biology, Earth Sciences, General Science

NGSS MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

The Ocean Acidification Mystery – Detective SUB PLAN | Human Impact, Fossil Fuel

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this engaging, real-world investigation focused on ocean acidification and marine ecosystem disruption. In this case file activity, students analyze evidence, track chemical and ecological pathways, interrogate suspects, and build a scientific case to

6th - 9th Biology, Earth Sciences, Marine Science

NGSS MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

The Forever Chemicals Mystery – Detective SUB PLAN | Human Impact, PFAS

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this engaging, real-world investigation focused on forever chemicals (PFAS) and environmental contamination. In this case file activity, students analyze evidence, track chemical pathways, interrogate suspects, and build a scientific case to solve the

6th - 9th Biology, Earth Sciences, Marine Science

NGSS MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

The Light Pollution Mystery – Detective SUB PLAN | Human Impact on Ecosystems

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this engaging, real-world investigation focused on light pollution and artificial nighttime lighting. In this case file activity, students analyze evidence, track environmental pathways, interrogate suspects, and build a scientific case to solve the my

6th - 9th Biology, Earth Sciences, Marine Science

NGSS MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

The Urban Heat Island Mystery – Detective SUB PLAN | Human Impact

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this engaging, real-world investigation focused on the urban heat island effect and rising city temperatures. In this case file activity, students analyze evidence, track environmental pathways, interrogate suspects, and build a scientific case to solv

6th - 9th Biology, Earth Sciences, Physical Science

NGSS MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

Winter Animal Survival Adaptations and Strategies Reading | 6th, 7th, 8th

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 reading introduces students to how animals survive winter by using physical and behavioral adaptations to cope with cold temperatures, limited food, and harsh conditions. Students learn why winter is such a challenging season and how animals have evolved strategies that help them stay

6th - 8th Biology, Earth Sciences, General Science

Also included in: Winter Weather & Snow Bundle - Lessons, Project, Activities | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Why Do Roads Get Salted? Reading | How Salt Melts Ice, Winter | 6th, 7th, 8th

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 reading introduces students to the science behind why roads are salted in winter and how salt helps melt ice to make roads safer. Students learn how water freezes, why icy roads are dangerous, and how adding salt changes the freezing point of water through a process called freezing po

6th - 8th Biology, Earth Sciences, General Science

Also included in: Winter Weather & Snow Bundle - Lessons, Project, Activities | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Winter Weather Adaptations Ecology Research Project - Structural and Behavioral

Created by
TWFScience

In this project, your students will explore how animals survive extreme winter conditions through specialized structural and behavioral adaptations. Students investigate how cold temperatures, snow, wind, and limited food shape animal survival strategies, and how these adaptations help organisms rem

6th - 9th Science, Biology, Earth Sciences

NGSS MS-LS1-4, MS-LS1-5, MS-LS4-4

Also included in: Winter Weather & Snow Bundle - Lessons, Project, Activities | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Snow Day Science Activity Bundle - Snow, Snowflakes, Winter | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Created by
TWFScience

The NO-PREP bundle includes a two readings (The Science of Snow, Snowflakes, and Frost / Winter Animal Survival Adaptations and Strategies), two simple at-home investigations (Snow Density and Volume Investigation / Snow vs Ice Activity - Which Melts Faster), and my Winter Weather Adaptations Projec

6th - 9th Earth Sciences, General Science, Physical Science

Extreme Winter Weather Reading | Snowstorms, Blizzards | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 science reading comprehension article introduces students to the wild and powerful side of winter, from blizzards and ice storms to polar vortexes and nor’easters. Students learn how different types of extreme winter weather form, what makes each storm unique, and how these storms imp

6th - 8th Earth Sciences, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS2-6

Also included in: Winter Weather & Snow Bundle - Lessons, Project, Activities | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Winter Weather & Snow Bundle - Lessons, Project, Activities | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Created by
TWFScience

This NO-PREP, comprehensive Winter Weather and Snow Bundle guides students through the science of winter by exploring how snow forms, how winter weather works, how animals survive cold environments, and how physical science concepts—such as states of matter, heat transfer, density, freezing point de

6th - 9th Earth Sciences, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-LS4-2, MS-LS4-4, MS-ESS2-1+4

Earth Day Countdown | 22 Environmental Science Starter Slides | Earth Day Warmup

Created by
TWFScience

Earth Day Countdown – Class Starter Discussion Slides & Teacher Guide. 22 Days of Discussion and Collaboration. Fully editable.Looking for an engaging way to spark meaningful conversations about environmental issues leading up to Earth Day or just how humans impact the environment? This Earth Da

6th - 11th Biology, Earth Sciences, Marine Science

NGSS MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4, MS-ESS3-1+9

Earth Day Countdown | Environmental Class Starter 3-DAY SAMPLE

Created by
TWFScience

Earth Day Countdown SAMPLE – Class Starter Discussion Slides & Teacher Guide. 3 Days of Discussion and Collaboration. The full version - Earth Day Countdown | 22 Environmental Class Starter Slides for Discussion and Collaboration can be found by clicking here.The full version contains 22, fully

6th - 11th Biology, Earth Sciences, Marine Science

NGSS MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4, MS-ESS3-1+9

Air Pollution Reading: What It Is, Why It Happens, Why It Happens | 6th 7th 8th

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 science reading comprehension article introduces students to the causes and effects of air pollution and why clean air matters for human health and the environment. Students learn where air pollution comes from, how it forms, and how weather conditions can make pollution better or wor

6th - 8th Earth Sciences, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS2-6

Also included in: Human Impact & Sustainability - 13 Reading Article Bundle - 6th 7th 8th Grade

Space Science Emergency Sub Plans | 2 Days | Middle School | No Prep Worksheets

Created by
TWFScience

2-Day, Emergency Space Science Introduction Sub Plans – No Prep 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Astronomy Activities and Worksheets.Need to be away from your classroom but still want your students to continue learning meaningful science content? This print-and-go AND fully digital 2-day Emergency Sub Plan allow

5th - 9th Astronomy, Earth Sciences, General Science

NGSS MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3, MS-ETS1-1

Our Solar System Emergency Sub Plans | 2 Days | Middle School | No Prep Space

Created by
TWFScience

2-Day, Emergency Solar System Sub Plans – No Prep 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Astronomy Activities and Worksheets.Need to be away from your classroom but still want your students to continue learning meaningful science content?This print-and-go AND fully digital 2-day Emergency Sub Plan allows your students

5th - 9th Astronomy, Earth Sciences, General Science

NGSS MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3, MS-ETS1-1

Stars Emergency Sub Plans | 2 Days | Middle School | The Sun No Prep Activities

Created by
TWFScience

2-Day, Emergency Stars Sub Plans – No Prep 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Astronomy Activities and Worksheets.Need to be away from your classroom but still want your students to continue learning meaningful science content?This print-and-go AND fully digital 2-day Emergency Sub Plan allows your students to con

5th - 9th Astronomy, Earth Sciences, General Science

The Seasons Emergency Sub Plans | 2 Days | Middle School | No Prep Activities

Created by
TWFScience

2-Day, Emergency Seasons and Earth's Tilt Sub Plans – No Prep 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Earth Science and Astronomy Activities and Worksheets.Need to be away from your classroom but still want your students to continue learning meaningful science content?This print-and-go AND fully digital 2-day Emergency

5th - 9th Astronomy, Earth Sciences, General Science

NGSS MS-ESS1-1

Four Seasons Data Graphing Lab Bundle | 6th, 7th, 8th Grade | Sun Angle Daylight

Created by
TWFScience

These three seasonal data and graphing activities will help your students understand seasonal changes while building graphing and data analysis skills. This bundle gives teachers an easy, NO PREP way to have students work with real-world environmental data to explore how seasons affect Earth’s syste

6th - 9th Graphing, Earth Sciences, Environment

NGSS MS-LS2-1, MS-ESS1-1, MS-ESS1-2+1

Also included in: Earth, Sun, & Moon Patterns - 5E Lesson Bundle | Seasons, Moon Phases, Eclipses

Climate Change & Long-Term Trends Graphing Labs | 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Science

Created by
TWFScience

These three climate change and long-term weather data graphing activities that will help your students understand climate change while building graphing and data analysis skills. This bundle gives teachers an easy, NO PREP way to have students work with real-world environmental data to explore how E

6th - 9th Graphing, Earth Sciences, Environment

NGSS MS-ESS2-5, MS-ESS2-6, MS-ESS3-3+1

Also included in: Middle School Science Graphing & Data Analysis Bundle | Real-World Data 6, 7, 8

Environmental Science Data Investigation Bundle | Case Studies & Graphing

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your classroom into an environmental investigation lab.This growing bundle of Environmental Case Files gives students authentic, data-driven ecosystem challenges where they analyze trends, evaluate evidence, and determine the most likely cause of environmental change.These are not simple readin

6th - 9th Biology, Earth Sciences, General Science

NGSS MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-3+2

Coral Reef Bleaching | Environmental Science Data Investigation - Graphing & CER

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your classroom into a marine science investigation lab.In this Environmental Science Data Investigation, students analyze real-world style datasets to determine why corals in a reef ecosystem are turning white. Through graphing, trend analysis, and structured evidence evaluation, students uncov

6th - 9th Biology, Earth Sciences, Marine Science

NGSS MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-4+1

Also included in: Environmental Science Data Investigation Bundle | Case Studies & Graphing