Unicus Global Science Olympiad Class 8 Syllabus

Class 8

1. Content Domain: Physics

Physical States and Changes in Matter

1. Motion of particles in solids, liquids, and gases
2. Differentiate between the thermal expansion of solids, liquids, and gases based on the arrangement and motion of their particles
3. Factors affecting thermal expansion

Force and Pressure

1. Types of forces and their effects
2. Introduction to pressure and relationship between force, area, and pressure
3. Applications of force and pressure
4. Pressure exerted by liquids and gases
5. Atmospheric pressure and its applications in everyday life

Energy Transformation and Transfer

1. Introduction to energy and various forms of energy (kinetic, potential, thermal, sound, light, electrical, chemical, nuclear)
2. Mechanisms of energy transfer
3. Transformation of energy from one form to another and its applications

Friction

1. Introduction to friction and its types
2. Factors affecting friction
3. Positive and negative impacts of friction
4. Ways to increase or decrease friction

Light and Sound

1. Characteristics of light and sound waves (wavelength, frequency, amplitude)
2. Formation of images by spherical mirrors and lenses
3. Human vision and hearing, their defects and correction

Chemical and Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

1. Electrical conductivity and electrolytes
2. Electrolysis and its applications
3. Magnetic field around a current-carrying conductor
4. Electromagnets and their applications

2. Content Domain: Chemistry

Properties of Matter

1. Physical properties of matter: mass, weight, volume, density, dimensions, color, luster, texture, melting point, boiling point, solubility, malleability, ductility, thermal and electrical conductivity
2. Chemical properties of matter: flammability, reactivity with other substances, acidity or basicity, ability to undergo rusting or tarnishing
3. Basic understanding of extensive and intensive properties

Chemical Changes and Reactions

1. Characteristics of chemical reactions
2. Matter and energy in chemical reactions
3. Factors influencing the rate of chemical reactions
4. Formation of chemical bonds

Metals and Non-Metals

1. Properties of metals and non-metals
2. Reactions that metals and non-metals participate in
3. Applications of metals and non-metals in everyday life
4. Reactivity series

Chemistry of Combustion

1. Combustion as a chemical reaction
2. Requirements to sustain combustion
3. Types of combustion and fuels

3. Content Domain: Biology

Cell and its Functions

1. Structures and functions of cells
2. Major organelles in a cell
3. Compare and contrast plant and animal cells
4. Basic processes of cellular transport, cellular respiration, and photosynthesis
5. Role of cells in growth, development, and reproduction

Life Cycles, Reproduction and Development

1. Reproduction and its significance in the survival of species
2. Mechanisms for passing genetic materials (sexual and asexual)
3. Sexual reproduction and inheritance
4. Stages of embryonic development: zygote, embryo, and fetus
5. Metamorphosis in frogs and insects
6. Diversity of reproductive strategies

Endocrine System and Hormones

1. Introduction to the endocrine system
2. Major endocrine glands and their hormones

Micro-organisms

1. Introduction to microorganisms
2. Microorganisms and human well-being
3. Microorganisms in the environment
4. Microorganisms and biogeochemical cycles

Circulatory Systems in Animals

1. Transportation within animals: open and closed circulatory systems
2. Components of the circulatory system and their functions
3. Transport adaptations in various organisms

4. Content Domain: Environmental Science

Forces in Nature

1. Basic principles of static electricity and different types of electric charges and their interactions
2. Process of charge transfer and formation and nature of lightning
3. Concept of plate tectonics and its role in earthquakes

Earth, Stars and the Solar System

1. Effects of the earth’s movements
2. Compare and contrast certain physical features of earth with those of the moon and other planets
3. Composition and life cycle of stars
4. Celestial bodies, role of gravity in their formation and movement
5. Earth-moon system and its impact on earth

Environmental Contamination

1. Major air pollutants: particulates (PM10, PM2.5), smoke, smog, gases (CO2, SO2, NOx)
2. The greenhouse effect and global warming
3. Eutrophication and its consequences
4. Effects of water pollution: waterborne diseases, depletion of oxygen, disruption of food chains
5. Simple methods for measuring air and water quality

Ecosystems

1. Flow of energy in ecosystems
2. Cycling of water, oxygen, and carbon in ecosystems
3. Interdependence of populations of organisms in an ecosystem
4. Factors that affect the growth of organisms (disease, predators, food resources, drought)