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Programs Offered for 8th Grade
Read course information carefully for size limits and which programs are available at MNS or at your school. For pricing, please visit the Pricing and Reservations page.
2010-2011 Programs at a Glance 
CSI: Endangered Wildlife | TEKS
8th Grade: 1a, 2abce, 3a, 4ab
Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents, acting on a tip, have located a site along the Trinity River where animals appear to have been processed. They suspect that some of the evidence collected may have come from an endangered species. Some of the evidence has been forwarded to the Museum to be analyzed; our task is to determine if any of the evidence comes from an endangered species. Your students will use DNA testing as the primary mechanism to help the Museum determine the classification of the unknown animal and solve this mystery.
Duration: Premium 90-minute Classroom Program
Class Size: 15-30 students
Available at your school or MNS.
Diagnosis: The Body in Question | TEKS
8th Grade: 1a, 2ace, 3a, 4a
We are the sum of all our parts. Take a tour of some human body systems and learn how they interact. This program is taught from the perspective of a patient brought into a hospital emergency room to provide your students with a real-world experience unlike any other.
Duration: Standard 50-minute Classroom Program
Class Size: 15-30 students
Available at MNS or your school.
Electric Theater | TEKS
8th Grade: 2ab, 3a, 4a, 5a
Explore the world of electricity and magnetism through this exciting (and “shockingly” cool) demonstration led by one of our Museum educators. Student volunteers will join our presenter on stage to demonstrate the workings of Van der Graff generators, electromagnets, step-down transformers, Tesla coils and more!
Duration: 50 minutes
Class Size: 15-175 students at MNS, 30–250 at your school
Available at MNS or your school.
Farming for Fuel | TEKS
8th Grade: 1ab, 2ab, 3abc, 4ab
In this hands-on, center based program, students will conduct experiments to understand the carbon cycle as well as how biofuels made from non-food plants are appropriate for transportation. Students will use these inquiry-based activities to understand the balance of energy on our planet and ways to improve and maintain that balance through the use and production of biofuels. This program is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and the BioEnergy Science Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Duration: Standard 50-minute classroom program
Class Size: 15-30 students
Available at MNS or your school.
Fire and Ice | TEKS
8th Grade: 1a, 2ab, 3a, 4ab
This explosively entertaining program teaches about the states of matter in a unique way. Student volunteers help the presenter explore how temperature affects matter. Both physical and chemical changes are demonstrated using fire and liquid nitrogen.
Duration: 50 minutes
Class size: 15-175 students at MNS, 30–250 at your school
Available at MNS or your school.
Ice Age: Last Extinction | TEKS
8th Grade: 1a, 2ce, 3b, 4a
Earth’s last major extinction event affected large mammals during the Pleistocene Era, some 12,900 years ago. The possible causes of this event are currently under debate. Students will explore evidence for one hypothesis by conducting hands-on investigations, collecting and comparing data, and reaching a conclusion on the validity of the hypothesis.
Duration: Premium 90-minute Classroom Program
Class size: 15-30 students
Available at MNS or your school.
Look Out: The Eye | TEKS
8th Grade: 1a, 2ab, 3a, 4ab
Discover the inner workings of the eye and vision. By dissecting a cow eye, students will see how an eye works. Comparing cow and human eyes will provide ”insight” into differences and similarities among species. This program is customized for each grade level and is adapted to meet your class needs.
Duration: Premium 50-minute Classroom Program
Class Size: 15-30 students
Available at MNS or your school.
Pump Up: The Heart | TEKS
8th Grade: 1a, 2ab, 3a, 4ab
Explore the fascinating world of the heart through this hands-on guided dissection of a pig heart! Students will have an up-close encounter with real hearts as they learn about heart structure and function as well as the need to stay healthy. If you want students to learn about their heart, this program can’t be “beat”! This program is customized for each grade level and is adapted to meet your class needs.
Duration: Premium 50-minute Classroom Program
Class Size: 15-30 students
Available at MNS or your school.
Roller Coaster Physics! | TEKS
8th Grade: 2ab, 3a, 4a, 6abc
Have you ever wondered why you lose your stomach, don’t fall out of your seat on loops and get stuck against the side of a roller coaster car while riding your favorite ride? Join us in building your own mini coaster to find out why you don’t really need to wear a seat belt on roller coasters! Using Vernier data logging sensors, find out how much force it really takes to have some fun!
Duration: Premium 2-hour Classroom Program
Class size: 15-30 students
Available at MNS only.
Spend the Day with DNA | TEKS
8th Grade: 1a, 2abce, 3a, 4ab
Explore the fascinating and rapidly expanding world of forensic science as your students perform hands-on DNA isolation and separation using gel electrophoresis. Each student will have an opportunity to isolate a spool of actual DNA during the class, and applications of DNA technology such as criminal forensics and gene therapy will be discussed.
Duration: Premium 3-hour Classroom Program
Class Size: 15-30 students
Available at MNS or your school.
StarLab | TEKS
8th Grade: 1a, 3abcd, 7ac, 8abde, 10a
We will bring the stars to you with our state-of-the-art digital portable planetarium. Students will be guided through their discovery of constellations to the immense size of the universe. They will explore star movement, color and brightness, and learn how to locate stars and constellations. This program is well suited for both cultural and scientific studies.
Duration: 50 minutes
Attendance: 10-30 students (depending on students’ age)
Requirements: large air-conditioned indoor room with dimensions of at least 25 ft. X 25 ft and 13 ft. overhead clearance; 110 V electric outlet
Available at your school only.
Urban Nature Walk | TEKS
8th Grade: 1a, 2a, 11ab
Join one of the Museum Naturalist for a guided walk in our own backyard! With the aid of field guides and binoculars, students will identify and learn about urban wildlife, explore various habitats and learn about the diversity of life within the confines of the Metroplex. This program can be adapted for all grades and helps to reinforce food webs, pond ecology, adaptations and biodiversity. The nature walk is available any season, please dress accordingly.
Duration: Standard 50-minute outdoor program
Class Size: up to 25 students
Available at MNS only.
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