SCIENCE  🦋
GRADE 8 steels curriculum framework

gEnetics

STANDARD 3.1.6-8.D

• Use arguments based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants, respectively.

STANDARD 3.1.6-8.E

• Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.

BIG IDEA

• The characteristics of structures, functions, and behaviors of organisms change in predictable ways as they progress from birth to old age. (through the life cycle)

CORE IDEAS

Cause and Effect

• Phenomena may have more than one cause, and some cause and effect relationships in systems can only be described using probability

common ancestry

STANDARD 3.1.6-8.O

• Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past.

STANDARD 3.1.6-8.P

• Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.

STANDARD 3.1.6-8.Q

• Analyze displays of pictorial data to compare patterns of similarities in anatomical structures across multiple species to identify relationships not evident in the fully formed anatomy."

BIG IDEA

• Comparisons between species provides evidence that species evolved from common ancestors which explains the similarities and differences between species.

CORE IDEAS

PATTERNS

• Patterns can be used to identify cause and effect relationships.

• Graphs, charts, and images can be used to identify patterns in data.

Natural selection

STANDARD 3.1.6-8.A

• Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells, either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.

STANDARD 3.1.6-8.B

• Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and the ways that parts of cells contribute to the function.

STANDARD 3.1.6-8.C

• IUse arguments supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.

BIG IDEA

• Organisms have characteristic structures that enable functions and behaviors that allow them to grow, reproduce, and die.

CORE IDEAS

• In multicellular organisms, the body is a system of multiple interacting subsystems. These subsystems are groups of cells that work together to form tissues and organs that are specialized for particular body functions.

Systems and System Models

• Systems may interact with other systems; they may have sub-systems and be a part of larger complex systems. 

contact forces

STANDARD 3.2.6-8.K

• Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.

BIG IDEA

• All forms of matter exist as a result of the combination or rearrangement of atoms.  

CORE IDEAS

• Matter of any type can be subdivided into particles that are too small to see, but even then the matter still exists and can be detected by other means. A model showing that gasses are made from matter particles that are too small to see and that are moving freely around in space can explain many observations, including the inflation and shape of a balloon and the effects of air on larger particles or objects. 

SCALE, PROPORTION & QUANTITY

• Natural objects exist from the very small to the immensely large

Sound waves

STANDARD 3.2.6-8.R

• Develop and use a model to describe how waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

BIG IDEA

• Electromagnetic radiation (e.g., radio, microwaves, light) can be modeled as a wave pattern of changing electric and magnetic fields that interact with matter.

CORE IDEAS

• STRUCTURE & CONTENT
  Structures can be designed to serve particular functions by taking into account properties of different materials, and how materials can be shaped and used. 

forces at a distance

STANDARD 3.2.6-8.I

• Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strengths of electric and magnetic forces.

STANDARD 3.2.6-8.K

• Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.

BIG IDEA

• All forces between objects, regardless of size or direction, arise from only  a few types of interactions.  

CORE IDEAS

• The gravitational force of Earth acting on an object near Earth’s surface pulls that object toward the planet’s center. 

CAUSE & AFFECT

• Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified and used to explain change.

ound Waves + Computer Science

STANDARD 3.2.5.F

• Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down. 

BIG IDEA

• All forces between objects, regardless of size or direction, arise from only  a few types of interactions.  

CORE IDEAS

• The gravitational force of Earth acting on an object near Earth’s surface pulls that object toward the planet’s center. 

CAUSE & AFFECT

• Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified and used to explain change.

Contact Forces + Computer Science

STANDARD 3.2.5.F

• Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down. 

BIG IDEA

• All forces between objects, regardless of size or direction, arise from only  a few types of interactions.  

CORE IDEAS

• The gravitational force of Earth acting on an object near Earth’s surface pulls that object toward the planet’s center. 

CAUSE & AFFECT

• Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified and used to explain change.

earth in space

STANDARD 3.3.6-8.A

Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons.

STANDARD 3.3.6-8.B

Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motion within galaxies and the solar system.

BIG IDEA

• We can infer information about stars based on observations we make from Earth.

CORE IDEAS

Patterns

• Patterns can be used to identify cause-and-effect relationships 

CONNECTIONS TO THE NATURE OF SCIENCE

• Scientific Knowledge assumes an order and consistency in natural systems.

SYSTEMS & SYSTEM MODELS

• Systems and System Models A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions.

CONNECTIONS TO NATURE OF SCIENCE

• Science addresses questions about the natural and material World.  Science findings are limited to questions that can be answered with empirical evidence.