For this team-building activity, prepare necklaces with cardboard pendants for each member of the class. Choose two different colors for the cardboard pendants and write an element from the periodic table on it, together with the oxidation figure. Each member of the class is given one necklace and has to find another member with whom she can build a compound, taking into consideration that a plus can only bond with a minus. Upon finding a suitable partner, the students note their own and their partner's element together with the new compound they build. Depending on the proficiency of the students, some also might be able to mention the properties of the new compound. The students can either break up to find a new bonding partner, or you can begin a laboratory lesson where the students experiment with some of the compounds they created.
This team-building activity aims to show students how science is dependent on various talents. Divide the class into five groups and charge each team to design one element of a Rube Goldberg machine based on true calculations, including speed, pressure or gravitation. Not only will they need someone in the group that can calculate the physics behind the contraption, but at least one member should be proficient enough to make a drawing of the device, and another should write a description that will be understood by the rest of the class when presented. At the end of the assignment, place all drawings next to each other while each team explains the function of it's element. Let the class figure out how the various elements can be combined by either adjusting their designs, or adding new elements. You can also ask the class to build the machine to partake in science fairs or competitions.
Students in eighth grade learn about environmental issues and endangered species and this team building activity is aimed at refreshing or building upon the students' previously acquired knowledge. From science and nature magazines, cut out pictures of endangered species together with photos of their habitat, their food sources and the reason for their diminishing numbers, including pollution, deforestation or human impact. Glue the pictures on card stock or cardboard and hand out one card each to your students. The students then have to find their team partners by comparing the pictures and determining which belong together. You can then charge the established teams with writing a file on the animal and it's importance to the habitat.
The history of science and scientists is part of the eighth-grade curriculum and this team activity encourages students to see that most scientific breakthroughs are based on the findings of several people. Prepare a series of tags of the kind you get at conventions with names of famous scientists in various categories, including physics, chemistry, biology or engineering. Each student is given a name tag the week prior to the lesson and is asked to gather information about the scientist named. On the day, decorate tables with pictures of various important inventions, which can include a car, an atomic reactor, a battery or a skyscraper. Tell the students to wear their name tag and assemble at the invention they believe their scientist has helped to develop. Ask the teams to compare their notes before every single member has to stand up and say: "Hello, my name is... and without me this invention would not have been possible because..."