Science: Grade 8

MATTER AND ITS INTERACTIONS

  • 1a

    Using a model(s), identify that an atom’s nucleus as made of protons and neutrons and is surrounded by electrons.LC-8-MS-PS1-1a

  • 1b

    Using a model(s), identify that individual atoms of the same or different types that repeat to form extended structures (e.g., sodium chloride).LC-8-MS-PS1-1b

  • 3a

    Compare and contrast characteristics of natural and synthetic materials (e.g., fibers) from provided information (e.g., text, media, visual displays, data).LC-8-MS-PS1-3a

  • 3b

    Identify ways in which natural resources undergo a chemical process to form synthetic materials (e.g., medicine, textiles, clothing) which impact society.LC-8-MS-PS1-3b

  • 6a

    Identify a chemical process that releases or absorbs thermal energy (e.g., dissolving ammonium chloride or calcium chloride) which, given the features of a problem, may provide a solution.LC-8-MS-PS1-6a

  • 6b

    Identify a way to test or modify a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by chemical processesLC-8-MS-PS1-6b

ENERGY

  • 3a

    Use information (e.g., graph, model) to identify a device (e.g., foam cup, insulated box) that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer (e.g., keeping liquids hot or cold).LC-8-MS-PS3-3a

  • 5a

    Using information from graphical displays of data and models, describe the change in the kinetic energy of an object as energy transferred to or from an object.LC-8-MS-PS3-5a

EARTH’S PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE

  • 4a

    Sequence the relative order of events from Earth's history shown by rock strata and patterns of layering (organize was more complex as a task/term than sequence).LC-8-MS-ESS1-4a

EARTH’S SYSTEMS

  • 1a

    Identify relationships between components in a model showing the cycling of energy flows and matter within and among Earth’s systems, including the sun and Earth’s interior as primary energy sources.LC-8-MS-ESS2-1a

  • 2a

    Identify examples of processes to explain that change Earth’s surface at varying time and spatial scales that can be large (e.g., plate motions) or small (e.g., landslides).LC-8-MS-ESS2-2a

  • 3a

    Using graphical displays of data, identify how the shapes of the continents (e.g., fit like a jigsaw puzzle) and fossil comparisons (e.g., fit together) along the edges of continents to demonstrate lithospheric plate movement.LC-8-MS-ESS2-3a

EARTH AND HUMAN ACTIVITY

  • 1a

    Identify explanations of the uneven distributions of Earth’s minerals, energy, and groundwater resources due to past and current geoscience processes or by removal of resources.LC-8-MS-ESS3-1a

  • 2a

    Use maps, charts, and images of natural hazards to look for patterns in past occurrences of catastrophic events in each of two regions to predict which location may receive a future similar catastrophic event.LC-8-MS-ESS3-2a

  • 2b

    Identify technologies that mitigate the effects of natural hazards (e.g., the design of buildings and bridges to resist earthquakes, storm shelters for tornados, levees along rivers to prevent flooding).LC-8-MS-ESS3-2b

  • 3

    Using data from a design solution for minimizing a human impact on the environment, identify limitations of the solution.LC-8-MS-ESS3-3

FROM MOLECULES TO ORGANISMS: STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES

  • 4a

    Identify behaviors animals engage in (e.g., vocalization) that increase the likelihood of reproduction.LC-8-MS-LS1-4a

  • 4b

    Identify specialized plant structures (e.g., bright flower parts) that increase the likelihood of reproduction.LC-8-MS-LS1-4b

  • 5a

    Identify a scientific explanation for how environmental factors (e.g., availability of light, space, water, size of habitat) affect the growth of animals and plants.LC-8-MS-LS1-5a

  • 5b

    Identify a scientific explanation for how genetic factors (e.g., specific breeds of plants and animals and their typical sizes) affect the growth of animals and plants.LC-8-MS-LS1-5b

HEREDITY: INHERITANCE AND VARIATION OF TRAITS

  • 1a

    Use a model to explain how genetic variations in specific traits may occur as organisms pass on their genetic material from one generation to the next, along with small changes.LC-8-MS-LS3-1a

BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION: UNITY AND DIVERSITY

  • 1a

    Use data to identify that fossils of different animals that lived at different times are placed in chronological order (i.e., fossil record) and located in different sedimentary layers.LC-8-MS-LS4-1a

  • 2a

    Recognize that similarities and differences in external structures can be used to infer evolutionary relationships between living and fossil organisms.LC-8-MS-LS4-2a

  • 2b

    Identify an explanation of the evolutionary relationships between modern and fossil organisms.LC-8-MS-LS4-2b

  • 3a

    Identify patterns (i.e., pictorial displays, representations, data) in the embryological development as evidence of relationships among species.LC-8-MS-LS4-3a

  • 6a

    Analyze numerical data sets that represent a proportional relationship between some change in the environment and corresponding changes in genetic variation (i.e., traits) over time.LC-8-MS-LS4-6a

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 8