Grade 8 Electives

Course Description: 

This class is designed to help students improve their live commentating and public speaking skills. Students will focus on perfecting their pronunciation—including word stress, rhythm, and intonation—to effectively communicate their message to an audience. In addition, they will learn how to speak with genuine emotion to connect deeply with listeners and make their performances more engaging. 

Course Project: The class will focus heavily on live events, where students will have the opportunity to commentate on teacher-selected live broadcasts in pairs. Through these exercises, students will practice expressing their thoughts and opinions in a clear, concise manner under real-time conditions, using emotional tone to enhance their overall delivery. 

Course Description: 

In this class, students will learn the fundamentals of investing and financial planning. The course focuses on developing a strong foundation in key mathematical concepts and calculations, while simultaneously introducing students to the dynamics of the financial world. Through a variety of hands-on activities, students will explore different types of investments, learn how to evaluate risk versus return, and discover how to build a diversified investment portfolio. 

Course Project: 

Throughout the course, students will work in teams to create their own virtual investment portfolios, which they will manage, track, and adjust during the semester. They will apply their math skills to calculate and evaluate the performance of their portfolios while analyzing real-world market trends and economic news. 

Course Description: 

This hands-on course explores the fascinating chemical and physical processes behind the foods we eat. Through active lab investigations, students will gain a deeper understanding of food production, molecular structure, preservation, and consumption. Engaging laboratory activities include Popcorn Chemistry, The Science of Baking Bread, Cabbage pH Indicators, Growing Sugar Crystals, Ice Cream Science, and Strawberry DNA Extraction. 

Course Project: 

By participating in these real-world scientific investigations, students will apply core chemistry and biology concepts to everyday ingredients. For their course portfolio, students will document their experiments—such as analysing reversible changes in ice cream making, tracking fermentation variables using alternative cooking methods (like baking bread in a rice cooker), and calculating chemical reaction times. 

Course Description

Creative Writing encourages students to develop their imagination, storytelling skills, and confidence as writers. Through a variety of writing activities, students will explore different forms of creative expression, including short stories, poetry, character development, dialogue, and descriptive writing. The course focuses on helping students communicate ideas clearly while developing creativity, vocabulary, and an understanding of narrative structure. Students will learn how authors engage readers through language, setting, plot, and characterisation.

Final Project

For their final project, students will create an original piece of creative writing that showcases the techniques and skills developed throughout the course. Students will plan, draft, edit, and present their work, demonstrating their ability to engage an audience through imaginative and effective storytelling.

Course Description

Medical Science introduces students to the fascinating world of human health, medicine, and disease. Through practical activities and investigations, students will explore how the human body functions, how illnesses develop, and how medical professionals diagnose and treat patients. Topics may include body systems, nutrition, disease prevention, medical technology, and healthcare careers. Students will develop scientific enquiry skills while learning how science improves and protects human health.

Final Project

For their final project, students will investigate a medical condition, treatment, or healthcare innovation and present their findings through a scientific report, presentation, or model. Students will demonstrate their understanding of human biology, medical science, and the role of evidence-based decision-making in healthcare.

Course Description

Data Detectives introduces students to the power of data in understanding the world around them. Students will learn how to collect, organise, analyse, and interpret information using mathematical and statistical techniques. Through real-world investigations, they will explore patterns, trends, and relationships in data while developing skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making. The course demonstrates how data is used in fields such as business, sport, science, and technology.

Final Project

For their final project, students will conduct an original data investigation on a topic of interest. They will gather and analyse data, create charts and visualisations, and present their conclusions based on the evidence collected. The project will showcase their ability to use mathematics and statistics to answer meaningful questions and communicate findings effectively.